Building a community


Social Pioneer

It was not only on the technical side that the management of the early AGA was open to innovation. Gustaf Dalén was involved in the well-being of his employees in a manner uncommon among captains of industry, even in recent years.
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.		Hot Meals
After AGA’s move to Lidingö, Gustaf Dalén realized that the workers needed proper meals. Hot cooked food was better than a cold lunch box. In 1913 the works committee formed a catering cooperative to organize better food.

Gustaf Dalén arranged for the company to provide premises, equipment and contributions to staff salaries. The cooperative also grew its own potatoes and vegetables on AGA's land. This was to prove important, particularly during the years of scarcity during World War I. Membership cost one krona. The charge for the morning meal was 50 öre and 60 öre for the evening meal.

Employee Profit Shares

In 1915, so that AGA's employees should feel more involved with the company, Gustaf Dalén decided they should receive a share of the profits. This was very advanced for Sweden at the time. Profit shares varied according to the size of the profit, it could be between one and three percent of annual income. The company also encouraged savings by offering savings accounts with higher interest rates than the bank. Inspired by the American financier Owen Young, Gustaf Dalén also invited the workers to buy shares in AGA, at a price well below their market value. The intention was to make the employees feel they really were working for themselves.
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Transport to AGA
The Södra Lidingöbana (commuter train) started operating in 1914 with Gustaf Dalén as founder and developer. He was also responsible for starting a special boat service for AGA employees. From May 1915 AGA employees could travel between the rather remote Lidingö and sites in central Stockholm such as Slussen, Tegelviken and Nybroplan in the company’s own boats. Free travel to and from work became an employment benefit for AGA’s workers.
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Good Housing

In 1913 most of the workers still lived in the vicinity of the former factory in central Stockholm. This year, however AGA built new modern workers' housing at Bergsätra on Lidingö in addition to the houses and cabins which the company had acquired earlier and rented out to the employees at a low rate. To make wages go further, Gustaf Dalén organized a purchasing center which sold food at cost price. AGA made up the difference.

Paid Vacation

As early as 1914 AGA's workers were given two paid vacation days during Midsummer week. At the time this was an almost unique benefit which provided four consecutive days off with pay.