News
DBS Sweden celebrates 10 Years in Gällivare!
This year marks a major milestone for David Brown Santasalo (DBS) Sweden, as our Gällivare service centre celebrates its 10‑year anniversary.
What began in 2016 as a small, rented workshop has evolved into a major northern hub for industrial gearbox service, repair, and solutions - supporting some of the Nordic region’s most significant industries.
A Decade of Growth and Development
DBS first established a service presence in Gällivare in early 2016, having previously supported customers across northern Sweden from our Gothenburg and Finland locations. Recognising the increasing demand for local gearbox expertise, particularly within heavy industry, the team set up operations in a rented workshop.
Demand grew rapidly, and DBS soon took over the premises full‑time. By 2019, it became clear that the scale of customer requirements had outgrown the existing space. Construction of a purpose-built 1,000 sqm service workshop began at the start of 2020, and despite the challenges of the global pandemic, the Gällivare team successfully moved into the new facility in November 2020.
The new workshop provided a 300sqm increase in space and upgraded capabilities, allowing the team to handle larger and more complex gearboxes to better support an expanding customer base.
Although the workshop’s official completion date coincided with pandemic restrictions, DBS Sweden proudly held an official open house in 2023, marking the long awaiting opportunity to welcome customers, partners, and the local community to see the new facility first-hand.
Evolving With the Industry
Over the past decade, the Gällivare operation has seen significant shifts in market demand. Historically, Sweden’s paper industry represented the team’s largest customer segment. However, as the sector has declined, DBS Sweden has adapted - refocusing on industries experiencing strong growth, particularly mining and steel.
This strategic focus has resulted in remarkable expansion. In the past 10 years, DBS Sweden has grown the business by more than 50%, with much of this driven by the stronger, value‑focused partnerships we’ve developed with key northern customers. Today, the team works extensively as a solutions partner to LKAB, a leading global iron ore producer, completing large overhaul projects and providing comprehensive service support. This transformation has reinforced DBS’s position as one of the Nordic region’s leading companies for the service and repair of industrial gearboxes and gear rings, across all brands, including third‑party gearboxes.
“Looking back over the past 10 years, I’m incredibly proud of what the team here in Gällivare has built. What started as a small local service operation has grown into a highly capable service centre trusted by some of the region’s most demanding industries. This success is down to the commitment and expertise of our people, the strong partnerships we’ve developed with our customers, and our long term commitment to the local community in which we operate. Gällivare has been central to our journey, and we’re proud to contribute to its continued growth and prosperity. As we mark this milestone, we’re excited to continue evolving, investing in our capabilities, and supporting both our customers and the community well into the future.”
Ten years on from opening the doors of a small rented workshop, DBS Sweden’s Gällivare operation stands as a modern, well‑equipped service centre supporting some of the region’s most critical industries.
The journey has been defined by growth, innovation, and strong partnerships - and the next decade promises even more opportunities to strengthen and expand our support for customers in northern Sweden and beyond.
