Sprague Energy

The Johnson family of Stockholm, Sweden, has an investment arm that stretches across the ocean. Axel Johnson Inc. owns and operates North American businesses on behalf of the Johnson dynasty. The investment firm focuses on the energy distribution, medical device manufacturing, and water treatment industries. Its portfolio includes Sprague Energy, Parkson Corp., and Kinetico Incorporated. Axel Johnson's companies have about $3 billion in annual revenues. Axel Johnson Inc., along with Axel Johnson AB, and AXFast are all affiliated with Sweden-based Axel Johnson Group but are independent. Established in 1873, the Johnson family of companies is in its fifth generation of family ownership.

Axel Johnson Inc., which was formed in 1920, is a long-term investor that typically holds on to its companies for about 20 years. Some companies have been a part of Axel Johnson's portfolio for more than 40 years. Two of its holdings, Parkson and Kinetico, are part of Axel Johnson's AxWater Group, which was formed in 2000.

Through NewtrAX Axel Johnson Inc. makes minority investments in smaller businesses. NewtrAX has stakes in Cadence Inc., a manufacturer of cutting and piercing instruments used for the medical and industrial applications. It also owns portions of wood reclamation company Mountain Lumber Co., and Walk2Campus, a real estate management and acquisition company.