When Mats Björkegren joined the small team in Munkfors in 1985, Swedev was still in its early days. Over the years, his work has contributed both to his own professional journey and to the company’s development. From the start, Mats has been part of Swedev’s focus on consistency through quality. This is the story of how curiosity, innovation, and craftsmanship helped shape both a career and a company.
When Mats joined in 1985, the company was still in its earliest days – operating out of shared premises in Munkfors. The team consisted of just three people. At the time, the company made knives for the meat and paper industries, with finishing handled by subcontractors. It wasn’t a scalable model, and profitability was limited. That led to a search for greater control over production.
“We started thinking – maybe we should build our own grinding machine.”
That thought marked a turning point. In 1989, Sören Ågren joined the company – and turned the idea into reality. With the grinding machine in place, the team could begin producing their own knives in-house. During a customer visit, they noticed doctor blades in use on a printing press. Drawing on their experience from the steel industry, they saw an opportunity. With both the knowledge and equipment already in place, it seemed natural to explore blade production as well.
“We had already been working with knives. But once we had the grinding machine, we thought – maybe we can make blades too. So we tried it. And it worked.”
In 1990, the first doctor blade sample was delivered – and it performed just as hoped. That moment marked the start of Swedev’s journey into doctor blade manufacturing
In 1993, collaboration began with a steel supplier to develop materials optimized for printing applications. Rather than adapting to existing steel grades, Swedev helped drive the development of two entirely new ones over the years – engineered specifically for the high-speed, high-precision demands of the printing industry.
“We’ve always worked closely with our partners – not just accepting existing solutions but pushing for improvements that better serve our end users.”
In 1998, Swedev took the next step – they began designing their own coating system. Just a year later, the first in-house coating line was operational. At the time, only a few companies had tested similar products. But Swedev saw the potential early – and made it part of their long-term strategy to control every critical aspect of blade performance. This strategic investment paid off – and last year, the flagship MicroKote G marked its 20th anniversary as one of the industry’s most trusted coated blades. Its enduring presence reflects Swedev’s long-term focus on coating technology and commitment to continuously improving doctor blade performance.
A key moment came in 2001, when Munkfors Industri acquired the company. Up until then, limited resources had constrained growth. The acquisition marked a turning point, making it possible to invest in equipment before securing sales – rather than the reverse. It laid a solid foundation for long-term development.
“After that, we could buy machines first – and then sell products, instead of the other way around.”
After four decades at Swedev, Mats Björkegren’s story is inseparable from the company’s own. From the first grinding machine prototype to doctor blade manufacturing, coating processes, and steel innovations, the hands-on approach and long-term mindset have made a lasting impact. While technologies continue to evolve and markets change, one thing remains constant: a commitment to consistency through quality – and the people behind it.
