Huddig: From Swedish Idea to Versatile Global Solution

Huddig's journey began in 1959 in the small town of Hudiksvall, Sweden, where entrepreneur John Sonerud and his brothers founded Svenska Hymas AB.

Their idea was simple, yet revolutionary: equip tractors with excavator arms to create a multifunctional machine. The solution answered a growing demand in the construction industry, and the market response was immediate. Within the first year alone, 75 machines were delivered across Sweden. During the 1960s, the company continued to expand, developing new attachments and exporting machines to Germany, France and Spain.

Collaborating With Volvo

In 1974, a major milestone was reached through a collaboration with Volvo. excavator loaders built on Volvo 616/642 chassis were manufactured in Hudiksvall, and the company soon supplied nearly three-quarters of Sweden's total demand for excavator loaders. This era also saw the launch of several specialized machines, including the Hymas Marine — a floating excavator designed for dredging, marine construction and environmental projects.

Turning Crisis Into Success

The early 1980s brought serious challenges. When Volvo reduced its orders in 1981, the factory faced possible shutdown. Instead of backing down, the employees took control, purchased the company and began producing their own machines independently.

Just two years later, in 1983, Huddig introduced the Huddig 960 — an articulated, 10-ton excavator loader that set a new industry standard. Shortly afterward, the company officially became Huddig AB, marking the beginning of a new era.

The Huddig 960 quickly proved its value with articulated steering, a powerful driveline and exceptional off-road capability, according to the company. Production ramped up rapidly as demand surged. After the turn of the millennium, Huddig entered a strong growth phase, with annual sales increases of 15–20 percent between 2001 and 2007 as new international markets opened.

Muddy Mary

By 2009, the company had built its reputation as a highly specialized engineering firm. A customer in Scotland challenged Huddig to create a machine capable of operating in extremely soft and boggy terrain. The result was the "legendary" Huddig 1260B "Muddy Mary," a track-driven machine designed for maximum traction in the toughest conditions, said the company.

Continuous Optimization

Since 1983, more than 11,000 Huddig machines have been produced across seven core models: 960, 760, 860, 1060, 1160, 1260 and today's 1370. Each generation has delivered higher performance, smarter technology and improved efficiency, according to the company.

Lower Costs, Higher Profitability

Today, a Huddig is recognized as one of the most versatile and cost-effective machines in the utility, rail and construction sectors, according to the company. One machine can often replace up to five traditional machines, significantly reducing capital costs, operating expenses and manpower needs. Huddig has been active in the U.S. market since 2012, and interest continues to grow as more American contractors discover its unique capabilities, the company added.

(All photos courtesy of Huddig.)

This story also appears on Construction Equipment Guide.