1940

World War II paralyzes many Electrolux plants and subsidiary companies. The Group reorganizes some of its production for employment reasons and produces air filters for the Swedish defense forces.

At the Motala plant, the reduction in refrigerator production has been compensated by the production of steel fittings. The manufacture of vacuum cleaners begins in New Zealand.

A new product is launched, the ''Assistent'' food processor. It is to become one of the Group's biggest sellers in the succeeding years.

1944

Electrolux purchases Bohus Mekaniska Verkstads AB in Gothenburg. The Group thereby makes an important breakthrough in a new product area - industrial washing machines.

Penta - a producer of outboard engines, is purchased. Electrolux already owns the producer Archimedes (both companies were sold to Monark-Crescent in 1965).

1948

There is a great demand for small electrical motors. Until now, Electrolux has produced them at Lilla Essingen alongside vacuum cleaners. Production now moves to a new plant in Västervik.

In Germany, operations begin again after the war. Refrigerators are produced in Berlin and vacuum cleaners in Wilhelmshafen.

Sigurd Nauchoff becomes Chairman of the Board.