Truckin’ Snapshot: The beginnings of Scania AB

In 1891, steel manufacturer, Surahammars Bruk, and engineer/entrepreneur, Philip Wersen established a company called “Vagnfabriks Aktiebolaget i Södertelge”, or “Vabis” for short.

Philip Wersen

Vabis factory, 1891

In 1897, Vabis’s mechanical engineer and designer, Gustaf Erikson designed the company’s first automobile.
And in 1902 he helped build their first truck, a 1.5 tonne, 2 speed vehicle with its 12hp engine located under the driver’s seat.

Gustaf Erikson

First Vabis truck, 1902

Vabis developed a truck in 1908 with a 20hp engine, capable of carrying a 3 tonne load. And in 1909, it won gold medal at the Swedish Royal Automobile Club’s international truck competition.

But despite this accolade, Vabis found no real market for their trucks. They expected to sell 50 per year, yet achieved only 5.

The company was losing money quickly. Surahammars Bruk tried to sell the company, with the intention of closing it down if a buyer wasn't found.

Per Alfred Nordeman

Fortunately, a buyer was found: Per Alfred Nordeman, managing director of Malmö-based, “Maskinfabriks-aktiebolaget Scania” (Maskinfabriks AB Scania).

This company was much more successful in building automobiles and trucks but needed a partner to build its coachwork.

And so, in 1911, Nordeman’s company and Vabis merged to create “Scania Vabis”, known today as “Scania AB”.

Sources:
https://www.scania.com
https://en.wikipedia.org