NKT A/S
Danish manufacturer of power cables, cable accessories, and integrated high-voltage cable systems.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
NKT A/S is a Danish power-cable manufacturer and cable-systems company headquartered in Brøndby. Its business is centered on the design, manufacture, installation, and servicing of cables used in electricity transmission, distribution, buildings, industry, and renewable-energy infrastructure. The company is particularly associated with high-voltage alternating-current and direct-current cable systems for offshore wind farms, electricity interconnectors, and other long-distance transmission projects. NKT traces its origins to 1891, when Hans Peter Prior founded Nordisk Elektrisk Ledningstraad og Kabel-Fabrik. The company adopted the name Nordiske Kabel og Traadfabrik in 1898, providing the basis for the NKT name used today. During its early decades, it expanded through acquisitions and developed manufacturing operations in Copenhagen. For much of the twentieth century, the wider NKT group operated beyond cables, with activities connected to materials and industrial products including glass, aluminium, steel, nails, and fasteners. From the late twentieth century, NKT reorganized around a smaller group of core activities. It divested several businesses, including Lauritz Knudsen, semiconductor company GIGA, and NKT Flexibles, while expanding its cable operations through acquisitions. The 1999 purchase of German cable producer Felten & Guilleaume substantially increased production capacity and added operations in several countries. NKT later acquired Ericsson Cables in Sweden and, in 2017, ABB's high-voltage cable business, including the Karlskrona production facility and the cable-laying vessel NKT Victoria. The ABB transaction significantly strengthened NKT's position in subsea and high-voltage cable systems. NKT's activities are organized around solutions for high-voltage transmission, applications for building wires and low- and medium-voltage cables, accessories such as joints and terminations, and service and installation. Its systems support offshore wind connections, electricity highways, grid interconnectors, power-from-shore projects, renewable-energy installations, and conventional electricity networks. It also produces cables for residential, commercial, and industrial construction. The company has pursued environmental improvements in cable production, including recycling cable-production scrap and developing lead-free, halogen-free, and PVC-free cable products. In 2024, NKT sold NKT Photonics and acquired Portuguese cable manufacturer SolidAl. These transactions reinforced a strategy of concentrating the group on electricity cables and increasing medium- and high-voltage capacity as European grids are expanded and modernized. NKT is listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen and operates production and other facilities across Europe.
History
NKT began in 1891, when Hans Peter Prior established Nordisk Elektrisk Ledningstraad og Kabel-Fabrik in Denmark. The company expanded during its early years by acquiring other businesses and opened a new factory on Ryesgade. In 1898 it adopted the name Nordiske Kabel og Traadfabrik, from which the modern abbreviation NKT derives. A further cable factory was built at La Cour Vej in 1907, and a head office was established beside the factory during the 1930s. For much of the twentieth century, NKT was a diversified industrial group rather than a pure cable company. Its activities included glass, aluminium, steel, nails, fasteners, and other products aimed primarily at the Danish market. The company also developed environmental practices in its cable operations. In the 1960s it began recycling scrap generated by cable production at its Stenlille facility. During the 1990s it introduced lead-free cables and products that avoided halogens and PVC, reflecting a renewed emphasis on environmental performance. The current corporate structure was established in 1990. During the following decade, NKT sought to concentrate on fewer core businesses. It sold the electricity-distribution manufacturer Lauritz Knudsen to Schneider in 1999 and divested the semiconductor company GIGA to Intel in 2000. In 2012, it sold NKT Flexibles, a manufacturer of underwater pipe systems. These disposals reduced the group's exposure to activities outside its principal strategic areas. Cable manufacturing became more international through acquisitions. In 1999 NKT acquired German producer Felten & Guilleaume, approximately doubling its production capacity and adding operations in the Czech Republic, China, and Austria. The company's headquarters subsequently moved to Cologne. In 2013, NKT acquired Ericsson Cables in Falun, Sweden, further strengthening its cable manufacturing network. A major transformation followed the acquisition of ABB's high-voltage cable business. In 2016, NKT's board announced plans to separate NKT Holding into two independently listed companies: NKT, including NKT Photonics, and Nilfisk. The separation was completed in October 2017. That same year NKT acquired ABB's high-voltage cable operations, including the Karlskrona plant in Sweden, the NKT Victoria cable-laying vessel, and offices or activities in Karlskrona, Alingsås, Malmö, Rotterdam, and Mannheim. The transaction made high-voltage and subsea cable systems a more important part of the company's identity and capabilities. NKT currently operates across four principal business areas. Solutions covers high-voltage AC and DC cable systems for interconnectors, offshore wind, and power-from-shore applications. Applications includes building wires and low- and medium-voltage power cables, including products used in renewable-energy projects. Accessories covers cable joints, connectors, and terminations for voltage classes ranging from 12 to 550 kV. Service and Installation provides jointing, repair, monitoring, and related field services. In 2024, NKT sold NKT Photonics, completing a further narrowing of the portfolio toward electricity cables. It also acquired SolidAl in Portugal, adding capacity in medium- and high-voltage cables. The company's present strategic context is shaped by the expansion of renewable generation, offshore wind, cross-border interconnectors, and the need to upgrade European transmission and distribution grids. NKT remains listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen and maintains manufacturing and operating facilities in Europe and other markets.
- 2024
Portfolio refocused on electricity cables
[1]NKT sold NKT Photonics and announced the acquisition of SolidAl, reinforcing its focus on cable infrastructure.
- 2017
ABB high-voltage cable business acquired
[1]NKT acquired ABB's high-voltage cable business, including the Karlskrona plant and NKT Victoria cable-laying vessel.
- 2017
NKT and Nilfisk separated
[1]The former NKT Holding group was separated into the independently listed NKT and Nilfisk companies.
- 2013
Ericsson Cables acquired
[1]NKT acquired the Swedish cable manufacturer Ericsson Cables in Falun.
- 1999
Felten & Guilleaume acquired
[1]The acquisition of the German cable manufacturer expanded NKT's production capacity and international footprint.
- 1990
Modern corporate structure established
[1]NKT established the corporate structure that preceded its later concentration on core businesses.
- 1907
New cable factory built
[1]NKT constructed a new cable factory at La Cour Vej.
- 1898
Name changed to Nordiske Kabel og Traadfabrik
[1]The company adopted the name that supplied the origins of the NKT abbreviation.
- 1891
Company founded
[1]Hans Peter Prior founded Nordisk Elektrisk Ledningstraad og Kabel-Fabrik, the predecessor of NKT.
Products and positioning
A specialist European supplier of high-voltage cable systems and accessories, with particular strength in subsea transmission, offshore wind connections, grid interconnectors, and electricity-grid modernization.
Power transmission
High-voltage cable systems
NKT designs and manufactures high-voltage AC and DC cable systems for electricity transmission. These systems are used in grid interconnectors, long-distance transmission links, offshore wind export connections, and power-from-shore applications. The offering can include cable production, accessories, installation support, testing, and service rather than only the cable itself.
Renewable-energy infrastructure
Subsea and offshore wind cables
NKT supplies subsea high-voltage cables used to connect offshore wind farms and other offshore electricity assets with onshore grids. Its capabilities include cable systems for export routes and interconnectors, supported by specialized installation resources including the NKT Victoria cable-laying vessel.
Electricity distribution
Medium- and low-voltage power cables
The Applications business provides medium- and low-voltage power cables for electricity distribution, renewable-energy projects, buildings, and industrial installations. These products address network construction and modernization below the highest transmission-voltage classes.
Building electrical products
Building wires
NKT produces building wires for residential, commercial, and industrial sites. The range is intended for fixed electrical installations and forms part of the company's Applications portfolio alongside low- and medium-voltage power cables.
Cable accessories
Cable accessories
The Accessories business includes cable joints, connectors, and terminations for voltage classes from approximately 12 to 550 kV. These components allow cables to be connected to one another and to network equipment while supporting the insulation and reliability requirements of high-voltage systems.
Industrial services
Service and installation
NKT provides field services associated with cable systems, including cable jointing, repair, monitoring, and installation-related work. These services extend the company's role from component supplier to lifecycle partner for transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Brand decisions
2024
Exit from photonicsStrategyBackground
NKT reviewed its portfolio to concentrate resources on electricity cables and grid infrastructure.
Action taken
The company sold NKT Photonics.
Aftermath
NKT's portfolio became more exclusively focused on electricity cables and related systems.
2024
Acquisition of SolidAlM&ABackground
European grid expansion and renewable-energy development increased demand for medium- and high-voltage cable capacity.
Action taken
NKT acquired SolidAl, a Portuguese power-cable manufacturer.
Aftermath
The acquisition added medium- and high-voltage manufacturing capacity to NKT's European network.
2017
Acquisition of ABB's high-voltage cable businessM&ABackground
NKT sought to expand its high-voltage transmission and subsea cable capabilities.
Action taken
NKT acquired ABB's high-voltage cable operations, including the Karlskrona plant, NKT Victoria vessel, and associated offices and activities.
Aftermath
The transaction strengthened NKT's position in high-voltage and offshore cable systems.
2016
Plan to separate NKT and NilfiskStrategyBackground
NKT Holding was pursuing a more focused structure while preparing for the acquisition of ABB's high-voltage cable business.
Action taken
The board announced that the group would be divided into separately listed NKT and Nilfisk companies.
Aftermath
The separation was completed in October 2017, leaving NKT focused on cable and related activities.
Recent events
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