Quicke
About Quicke
Quicke’s history is intimately linked to Karl-Ragnar Åström. During the early 1940s, he took over the large and well-developed family farm in Brännland. His interest in technology and his innovative personality led him to actively seek out ways to make farming more efficient.
In 1947, at the age of 27 he designed and built the first front loader in Sweden. After he had built and sold loaders to his neighbours, word spread and farmers from around the region expressed interest.
In 1949 he formed AB Ålö-Maskiner. His workshop filled the old barn.
The former chicken coop became the cafeteria for his employees. In 1958 when he designed the world’s first drive-in frontloader, he opened the door to exports. He continued as Managing Director at Ålö until 1978.
Karl-Ragnar was stubborn in many ways. He was a problem-solver who never gave up. And his industriousness is well-known. When the obstacles became too great and the road impassable, he would quickly switch gears and move on to new goals. He was just as comfortable discussing a technical problem with a worker on the shop floor as he was with discussing business with a business contact in a foreign country. Decorated by the king, he was basically a farmer with an entrepreneurial drive that made things happen.
Available from:
Johnson Gluyas Tractors Limited