Atlas Copco launches Industrial Tools unit to advance Kenya’s manufacturing solutions

By Pauline Ongaji

Global industrial technology company Atlas Copco has expanded its footprint in Kenya with the launch of the Industrial Technique Division, marking the company’s third business line in the country alongside its established Compressor Technique and Power Technique divisions.

The move signals the company’s growing confidence in Kenya’s manufacturing potential and its ambition to support the country’s industrial transformation with advanced assembly and torque technologies.

The new division will provide high-precision industrial tools, assembly systems, automation solutions, and lifecycle services to manufacturers across Kenya and the wider East African region.

“With production industries evolving rapidly, particularly in automotive assembly, energy, electronics, and metal fabrication, this expansion aims to equip manufacturers with the technologies needed to improve productivity, quality, and traceability in their production lines,” says Cornelius Coetzee, Regional General Manager for Atlas Copco Industrial Technique Sub-Saharan Africa.

Atlas Copco has expanded its operations across Africa through three specialised business areas. These include the Compressor Technique division, which supplies energy‑efficient compressed‑air and gas solutions for manufacturing, and the Power Technique division, which provides portable air, power, and flow equipment for demanding environments such as construction and mining.

The newly introduced Industrial Technique Division complements these operations by providing high-precision assembly tools, automation systems, and inline quality assurance technologies that support advanced manufacturing and high-accuracy production processes.

The Industrial Technique business line first established its presence on the continent in South Africa, which remains the division’s hub for operations across Africa.

“The launch of the Kenya office represents the next phase of the company’s regional expansion strategy,” adds Coetzee.

According to Ryan Anthony, Business Line Manager for the Motor Vehicle Industry at the company, Kenya’s growing industrial sector and its strategic position as a gateway to East Africa made it a natural choice for Atlas Copco’s latest investment.

“Manufacturing activity across the region has been gaining momentum, driven by rising consumer demand, infrastructure development, and increasing interest from global manufacturers looking to establish assembly operations in Africa,” explains Anthony.

The division is expected to deliver several benefits for manufacturers and industrial operators in the region. These include faster localised customer support, easier access to advanced assembly and automation technologies, improved efficiency and quality in production processes, and stronger collaboration between Atlas Copco and regional industry partners.

“The Nairobi office will also serve as a regional hub for East Africa, providing technical support and services to manufacturers in neighbouring markets such as Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia,” says Anthony.

Beyond supplying products, Anthony explains, this new division brings decades of expertise in production, assembly, and service.

“Our goal is to help customers build reliable, efficient production systems with full traceability and confidence on their assembly lines, delivering the trust and peace of mind that modern manufacturing demands,” says Anthony.

“This new development brings world-class tools, smarter production solutions, and hands-on support closer to our customers, helping manufacturers and decision-makers boost efficiency, maintain consistency, and remain competitive for the long term.”

Anthony explains that the move reflects Atlas Copco’s commitment to strengthening industry standards and developing local expertise.

One of the primary sectors that the new division will support is the automotive industry. Atlas Copco Industrial Technique provides a comprehensive portfolio of solutions that cover the entire vehicle manufacturing process.

These include advanced assembly systems for body shops, paint shops, electric vehicle battery assembly, tire installation, final vehicle assembly, and vehicle electronics production.

“The company has extensive experience working with global automotive manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), delivering tools and solutions designed to ensure consistency, safety, and full traceability across production lines,” explains Anthony.

With the rise of electric mobility and growing interest in local vehicle assembly across Africa, demand for these technologies is expected to increase in the coming years.

Atlas Copco’s Industrial Technique Division offers an integrated portfolio designed to support every stage of modern manufacturing processes.

The company delivers automated assembly systems, including robotic fastening solutions and fully integrated production stations that help manufacturers increase efficiency while reducing manual errors.

Their portfolio also includes advanced inline quality and vision systems that detect defects instantly, strengthening quality control and reducing downtime. The company further enhances production environments with ergonomic workstations and tailored assembly solutions designed to keep operators safe while ensuring smooth, efficient manufacturing.

“Complementing these technologies is a strong focus on service and technical support, including installation, maintenance, optimisation, and lifecycle management of tools and equipment,” explains Coetzee.

The success of the new division in Kenya will be supported by a team of locally based engineers and technical specialists.

Among them are Godwin Mbaka, Sales Engineer, who will focus on helping manufacturers adopt advanced assembly technologies to improve productivity and efficiency, and Kelvin Maina, Field Service Engineer, who will provide technical support and ensure that customers receive reliable service throughout the lifecycle of their equipment.

“By investing in local expertise, Atlas Copco aims to build stronger relationships with customers and provide faster, more responsive technical support,” says Anthony.

Through the Industrial Technique Division, he adds, the company aims to accelerate the adoption of high-precision, data-driven, and automation-ready manufacturing solutions that can help local manufacturers compete in increasingly sophisticated global supply chains.