New Volvo CE test and development centre in South Korea

Company doubles excavator testing capacity to improve product development process and reduce lead times

VOLVO CE have opened a new state-of-the-art test and development centre in Hapcheon, South Korea, close to the company’s existing excavator manufacturing facility in Changwon.

The new facility – which doubles Volvo CE’s excavator testing capacity in Korea – includes an all-weather test dome, reliability and noise test field, workshops, various complete machine performance test areas and a customer centre. Engineers at the 253,515 sq metre site will focus on excavator product development, advanced engineering and product maintenance.

‘Over the last few years we have increased the number of excavator projects and it became apparent that we needed to expand our facilities to accommodate our testing requirements,’ explained Anders P. Larsson, executive vice president of Volvo CE’s Technology function.

‘This important investment of approximately SEK90 million allows us to expand our excavator R&D capability in Korea, test more machines locally, improve our product development process and reduce lead times.’

The test and development centre in the Gyeongsang province of Korea is 92km (57 miles) from Volvo CE’s existing research and development facility in Changwon – further establishing the area as the company’s global R&D excavator hub.

‘We specifically chose to invest in Korea close to our Changwon site,’ explained Mr Larsson. ‘Excavators are a key product for Volvo CE and our customers have a high regard for the fuel efficiency, performance and reliability of our machines. The opening of this advanced test and development centre underlines Volvo CE’s commitment to the Korean construction equipment market, as well as confidence in Korean engineering.’

The new facility is Volvo CE’s 12th Technology site. In March this year the company officially opened Jinan Technology Centre in Shangdong province, China.

‘Our latest facilities play an important role in the business achieving its growth ambitions,’ continued Mr Larsson. ‘We believe it’s important to have a global footprint of engineering and design resources. Locating sites where machines are used gives us a greater understanding of our customers and their needs – and this is a key advantage in today’s highly competitive global marketplace.’