Sandvik AB Sandvik AB began operations as a small steel company in Sandviken, Sweden. The company, originally known as Goransson Hogbo Stal & Jernwerks, recognized early on the important role creating innovative techniques and products played in being successful. To this day, Sandvik maintains a firm commitment to research as a means of gaining competitive advantage. Unfortunately, competing with other innovative industrial firms in a small country like Sweden provides limited growth opportunities