The history of the tiltrotator begins in 1986. But decades before that, Allan Jonsson laid the foundations for what is now Rototilt – with a curiosity that continues to shape the company’s development to this day.
When Allan’s children – Anders, Hans and Liselottie – acquire Indexator, together with co-owner Åke Karlsson, the company begins to focus increasingly on the production of rotators. All eyes are on the construction industry, where there is a sense that there is room for something new. In 1986, the company Noreco launches the world’s first tiltrotator under the name Rototilt®. When Noreco goes bankrupt in 1992, Indexator is ready to step in. Through an asset deal, the company acquires product rights, trademarks and technical solutions.
In the following year, mass production of the first models RT1401 and RT800 began. Development continued, and in 1997 several new models were launched, including the Rototilt® RT60 – the world’s first tiltrotator with an oil-filled rotor housing. This marked the beginning of the platform on which our tiltrotators are still based today.
Since the turn of the millennium, demand has been growing rapidly. More tiltrotators were launched, and the company established its first subsidiary in Germany in 2002. In 2003, the compact RT20 was introduced, and the proportional control system made its breakthrough. Two years later, a unique two-story testing and evaluation facility was opened – a clear commitment to long-term development. The testing facility features Rototilt’s legendary breaking rig, which is revolutionising the testing of product durability.
In 2007, the company takes one of its biggest steps to date when a brand-new factory dedicated to the production of tiltrotators is unveiled. That same year, the company also establishes a presence in North America. In 2008, however, the global economy undergoes a dramatic transformation when the financial crisis strikes. For many companies, this is a time of uncertainty, but Indexator takes a different approach. Amid the uncertainty, the company focuses on gender equality and human resources issues and developing a new corporate philosophy – a bold decision that would later attract attention and earn praise. During this period, an office is also established in Finland to handle sales, service, support and spare parts. In 2012, the business is formally divided into two parts: Indexator Rototilt Systems and Indexator Rotator Systems.
At the same time, innovation continues. SecureLock™ is launched – based on a patented invention from Rototilt – and the product range is expanded. In 2014, Indexator Rototilt Systems becomes the first in the world to offer a docked swivel without routing the hose to the quick coupler, a solution that contributes to operational reliability and functionality.
Anders, Caroline and Hampus Jonsson
In 2015, Anders Jonsson and his family became the sole owners of Rototilt Group AB, and the company changed its name to Rototilt Group AB.
The company strengthened its position in Europe and established a subsidiary in Norway, as well as hired staff in France. In Denmark and the UK, the company worked through distributors. Rototilt experienced strong growth in the latter part of the 2010s. In 2015, the company expanded its presence in the Benelux region, and the tiltrotator celebrated its 30th anniversary in the following year. In 2017, machine couplers with built-in SecureLock™ were launched – a major step forward for both safety and standardisation.
The factory was expanded several times to meet demand, and the number of employees grew rapidly. In 2019, the product range was further expanded with additional work tools, and Rototilt expanded into Australia and New Zealand through new distributors. The SecureLock™ safety solution was honoured with the German Innovation Award in 2019, and the new QuickChange™ quick-release system won the same award in the following year. Rototilt also played an active role in the creation of the Open-S standard, which is based on freedom for the end customer, reliable safety solutions and ongoing technical development.
The company’s next major investment will be a major expansion of the factory, unveiled in 2021 following two years of construction. The investment is worth over SEK 160 million and includes, among other things, 4,600 new square metres (49,500 sq. ft.) and a high-tech R&&D centre.
Our largest tiltrotator ever – the RC9 – is launched in spring 2022. It will also be the first product in a brand-new concept: Rototilt Control. At the Bauma construction trade show, the concept is presented in its entirety, featuring a new control system, ergonomic joysticks, a new series of tiltrotators and an app for remote support. Special attention is given to the new RC™ joysticks, which would later win numerous awards for their ergonomic design. At the end of the year, the company reaches an important milestone when it surpasses SEK 1 billion in revenue for the first time. International growth continues in 2023, with the establishment of a new subsidiary in the Netherlands – another step towards strengthening our presence in the Benelux region.
Five years after the expanded factory is opened, the company makes its next major investment by bringing part of its machine coupler production in-house. An investment in a brand-new robotic welding system that improves both product quality and energy efficiency in production.
With growing global markets, new digital opportunities and a strong culture of innovation, the next chapter is already upon us. Rototilt is moving towards a future where smarter systems, electrification, sustainable production and close collaboration with contractors around the world are shaping the next generation of solutions – and where the original curiosity embodied by Allan Jonsson continues to lead the way.