A Grip on the Forest: The Log Max Story

The forestry industry of the early 1980s was undergoing a massive, expansive evolution, shifting rapidly toward fully mechanized operations. In 1980, wanting to be part of this industrial journey, five friends—Stig Linderholm, Anders Almén, Molle Messing, Micael Olsson, and Hans Arvidsson—founded a company called Grangärde Maskin. What began as a collaborative experiment in Sweden would ultimately evolve into one of the most recognized names in global forestry equipment.

The Experimental Years

The founders' first decade was defined by heavy trial and error. Their initial creations included the "Logma Helgum," a massive 22-ton complete harvester powered by a 163 HP Scania engine, and the "Gnutten," a remote-controlled, off-road skidder designed to mechanize thinning work. However, the industry was moving swiftly toward fully mechanical harvester heads, rendering the Gnutten obsolete.

In 1985, the company found its true mechanical calling by creating its first single-grip harvester: the GM 425. Operating on the engineering philosophy of "keep it simple," this 325kg unit featured parallel feed wheels—a structural design that remains highly effective today. As demand for larger, more powerful units surged, they developed the formidable GM 650, an 1,100kg powerhouse featuring a patented damped bottom plate to prevent structural cracking. By 1989, the company had fully pivoted, making harvester heads their undisputed main product.

Forging an International Identity

As the 1990s arrived, the company's export volume exploded. Recognizing that "Grangärde Maskin" was difficult for international markets to navigate, the founders officially rebranded the company to the far more universal Log Max.

This era was defined by the launch of the "Millennium series," a highly strategic project aimed at increasing overall reliability, boosting breakout performance, and coordinating components across the product line. This effort solidified an enduring lineup of heavy-duty units, including the Log Max 928, 3000, 5000, 7000, and 9000 series.

Royal Recognition and Massive Growth

The 2000s pushed Log Max into the global spotlight. In 2005, the company's aggressive international expansion was formally recognized when the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce named them Export Company of the Year, an award presented directly to CEO Stig Linderholm by Crown Princess Victoria.

Simultaneously, their engineering footprint expanded significantly. They launched the Log Max 6000, which would go on to become their absolute all-time best seller. Partnering closely with dealers across the United States and Canada, they also engineered the Log Max 12000. Weighing in at a staggering 4.5 tons, it was the largest harvester unit in the world at the time and remains in their product line today.

The Modern Era: A Komatsu Subsidiary

During the 2010s, the company underwent a major structural transformation. The original founders stepped aside as Log Max was acquired by the Japanese industrial giant, Komatsu. Under new leadership, the company began manufacturing the Komatsu Forest S-series alongside its own evolving lineup.

Operating with the backing of a global conglomerate, Log Max continued to innovate. They launched their proprietary control system, Log Mate 510, and introduced the highly specialized T-series (Thinning) units. Today, operating under the leadership of CEO Jon Mattson—who stepped into the role in 2020 after serving as the company's aftermarket manager—Log Max continues to build upon a 40-year legacy of taking an uncompromising, mechanical grip on the world's most demanding forests.

 

Year Founded: 1980

Main Products: Forestry Harvesting Heads for Excavator, Debarking Machinery

Brand: Log Max

Country of Origin: Sweden

Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/logmaxofficial/

Website: https://logmax.com/

Address: Stationsvägen 12, 770 13 Grangärde, Sweden

Contact No.: +46240591100

Email: info@logmax.com