Vimmerby, 3 July 2026

The Swedish environmental and engineering company Mercatus Engineering AB is embarking on a new chapter. After 53 years, the founding family, together with co-owner Christer Fuglesang (who has held a stake since 2019), is selling all remaining shares to the German family-owned company KNOLL Maschinenbau GmbH. With this transaction, Mercatus is transitioning from one family-owned company to another—a move that ensures continuity and long-term stability for employees and customers.

Mercatus was founded in 1973 by Karl-Heinz Schröder and has grown over generations to become a well-established player in the Swedish manufacturing industry. The company offers system solutions for the cleaning, recycling, and recirculation of contaminated process fluids.

The new owner is KNOLL Maschinenbau GmbH of Bad Saulgau, Germany. KNOLL is a leading supplier of conveyor systems, filtration systems, and pumps for metalworking. The systems transport and separate chips and coolants. The Automation division develops solutions for demanding assembly and logistics tasks. The comprehensive product portfolio includes systems for both decentralized and centralized applications. Since 1970, KNOLL has stood for innovation, progress, and sustainable growth.

The families share a close bond that dates back to the early 1970s. They also share common core values regarding entrepreneurship, quality, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability.

Under its new ownership, Mercatus retains its stable foundation while gaining access to an extensive international network, new markets, and global synergies. “Handing over this life’s work to the Knoll family feels absolutely right. We’re passing the baton to an owner who shares our philosophy and, at the same time, has the ability to open doors to international markets. Mercatus remains a secure and stable workplace—but now with even stronger prospects for the future,” says Kristina Alsér, daughter of founder Karl-Heinz Schröder.

The change in ownership marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter, in which Mercatus’s strong local foundation is combined with KNOLL’s international reach and technological expertise.