Our story
In 1985 an auditor with a flair for business took the decision to realize his dream – to put together a group of industrial companies according to a plain and simple business strategy. The first acquisition was a Southern Swedish company, and from there things quickly grew to an entire industrial group. In 1988 he was made an offer he just could not refuse, so he sold the group to a listed company that wanted to broaden its business activities.
The youngest MD for a publicly listed company
Overnight, our entrepreneur became the youngest MD for a publicly listed company. He retained a minority holding in the company. Just two years later, in 1990, the company was bought up by a group of businessmen with our entrepreneur leading the charge.
Proton was born. Our entrepreneurs name? Leif Malveholm.
One and the same business idea
The most important driving forces from the very beginning were courage and curiosity. An ability to recognize exciting new trends and future business opportunities added many sides to our business at Proton today. Each with one and the same business idea – to create new, successful constellations where we can put our industrial know-how to good use.
Entrepreneurial spirit and individual freedom of action play very important parts at Proton. For this reason Proton is still privately owned by a number of entrepreneurs, many of whom have been with us from the very beginning. The transformation from being a few separate companies to a multimillion conglomerate was swift. Yet we still brim with the same energy and eagerness to develop.
Services and solutions
Over the years we have increasingly become providers of services and solutions. Smart solutions that we always create together with our customers.
Our vision
Our vision is plain and simple; “To be the leading service provider in our business areas”.
In practical terms it means we have made a choice; we are moving away from offering individual items or products toward providing smart solutions to an ever greater degree. Solutions unique to Proton, where the product forms the basis, but where the services around it constitute the deciding factors when you the customer choose us as your supplier. It can involve assembly, packaging and logistics, to name a few.
Close cooperation an absolute must
But we do not want to set limits to our cooperation. If we are to succeed in achieving our vision, close cooperation with you the customer is an absolute must. We must understand your reality and your goals. Be an attentive and considerate partner, but curious and inquisitive too. Not the simplest of combinations. But our long-term goal is clear – we will be the leading service provider.
Our Business Idea
“We will develop strategically-selected business areas to become niche leaders in the long term. We will do this by creating the smartest solutions seen from our customers’ perspectives. Our customers prioritize creative and cost-effective solutions, close cooperation and foresight.”
A few reflections on our business idea; we must be even more distinct in our various activities. Every business area must develop a niche where it has the possibility of becoming the leader. Within this framework we will provide the smartest solutions, seen from your standpoint as our customer.
Our definition of smart solutions is that they are both creative and cost effective. An absolute must is close cooperation with you the customer, and this in turn requires a deep and lasting relationship.