1943
The merry-go-round method for anchor chain production was developed by Ramnäs and later marketed around the world by ASEA-SVETS.

1946
Ramnäs delivered the first normalised chains to the Royal Swedish Navy. This was the first grade 2 chain ever ( R m = approx 500 MPa) and it soon was established as standard for modern ships chain, substituting Grade 1 (R m = approx 300 Mpa).

1965
Swedish Steel-manufacturers started the manufacture of micro-alloyed steel suitable for normalised chain grade 3 (R m = 690 Mpa). At a visit by our technical manager in the London office of Lloyds Register of Shipping an old Surveyor expressed deep concern over our stubborn aim for upgrading chain: “When only grade 2 existed, life for surveyors was easy. Anyone can manufacture grade 2. Today everyone pretends to be making grade 3 with disastrous results and a very hard life for Surveyors”.

1967
Ramnäs built a factory for manufacture of continuous lengths of chain. The traditional chain for ships was always tested and delivered in 15 fathoms-lengths which were shackled together to longer lengths. The offshore industry wanted continuous lengths without shackles and our new factory responded to the customers wishes. In this new factory we also developed the continuous test-loading of the chain , breaking the very old tradition of testing 15 fathom lengths.

1971
Fagersta AB started making a weld-able low carbon, high manganese steel called Fama. Successful trials to make chain resulted in Ramnäs Super, which however was of no interest among customers. (R m = 930 Mpa) at that time.

1981
The construction of a large number of Aker H 3 semisubmersible drilling platforms created an absurd urgent need for grade 4 chain. Due to the need for toughness a new steel quality was developed by SKF-STEEL Low carbon steel alloyed with Mn, Cr, Ni and Mo(R m = 930 later adjusted to 860 MPa). This was the dramatic start for grade 4. Too much chain was produced without waiting for the practical consequences in offshore operation.

The following decade was devoted to fine tuning of specifications as well as of works practice and of material qualities utilised for grade 4.

1989
Stud welding for stud fastening was replaced by stud expansion. This expansion pre-loads the link thus maintaining long-time stud contact in spite of the loss of material by corrosion in the stud-contact surfaces.

1991
The uneven heat distribution in the link during stud insertion is compensated by the creation of the asymmetric stud.

1996
The first delivery of studless chain. Over the years more than 30 000 tonnes studless chain has been delivered from Ramnäs since then.

1999
In order to be able to utilise existing winches with stronger chains Grade 4+ was developed. A stronger steel was utilised in combination with 82 mm bar-diameter for chain with the five-link length of 76 mm diameter.

2003
Delivery of chain with extra high demands in taylor made length was performed.

Since 1999 Ramnäs has been affected by the global recession of the offshore industry. Thus the chain factory went into liquidation in August 2003.

An entirely new company was formed with the name Ramnäs Bruks AB. The new owners where SRK, Svenskt Rekonstruktionskapital AB 60 % and AB Arvid Svensson 40 %.

2008
At the end of April 2008 Ramnäs Bruk AB was sold to a Norwegian consortium. The leader of the consortium is Carl Arnet, one of the world’s leading specialists in offshore anchoring. The consortium also includes the Norwegian investment company Kolbjörn Invest A/S.

The sellers, Svenskt Rekonstruktionskapital (SRK), AB Arvid Svensson and the Östersjöstiftelsen, will own slightly more than 10% of the consortium.

The formal takeover will be at the beginning of June 2008.

For more information see press release below.