SSAB

In Sweden -- and gradually elsewhere too -- SSAB is another word for steel. The company has been a niche player in the European steel market, primarily manufacturing steel sheet and plates, but is hoping to grow out of that niche. Operations are carried out via subsidiaries SSAB Strip Products, SSAB Plates, and SSAB North America (steelworks); Plannja (processing); and Tibnor (trading). Founded in 1978, SSAB has grown beyond its Swedish borders with a presence in more than 40 countries worldwide; Sweden still accounts for a quarter of its sales, however. In 2007 the company made a big international move when it bought US steelmaker IPSCO (now the North American unit) for $7.7 billion.