Innovations

Branobel had well-developed systems thinking from the beginning. Production and distribution were managed as a whole. This made it possible to identify and resolve bottlenecks with the help of new technology. The first tanker and the railway transport with its own tank wagons across the whole Russian Empire are important examples.

Developing the Diesel engine

Visiting German engineering exhibitions, a Swedish employee of the Nobel Company in Russia, Anton Carlsund, saw an early version of the engine that Rudolf Diesel had invented. Via Carlsund, Nobel owned companies in Russia and Sweden took an active part in refining the diesel engine into a practically functioning power source.

M/s Vandal – a historical ship

The running of ships by steam engines was expensive. If it were possible to use diesel engines, a shipping company could save about 60, possibly 80 per cent. However, a diesel engine was heavy and a ship must be able to manoeuver: to stop, reverse and immediately start again. Wilhelm Hagelin got support from Emanuel Nobel, advising that they should try it.

Till toppen