Volvo CE celebrate Jinan Technology Centre inauguration

Swedish manufacturer marks official launch of new state-of-the-art technical centre in China

VOLVO Construction Equipment have firmly underlined their commitment to the Chinese construction equipment market following the inauguration ceremony of the company’s Jinan Technology Centre in Shangdong province, China.

The 50,000 sq metre facility will specifically focus on developing products and components for customers in emerging markets. Costing €30 million to build, the Jinan Technology centre consists of a test track, design offices and two testing buildings which include component and prototype assembly workshops, as well as areas for testing the performance and structure of equipment.

There are currently more than 150 employees at the facility, but staff numbers are set to grow, as the site can accommodate up to 450 people.

The Volvo L105 wheel loader was developed over a period of 25 months and launched at the end of 2012. Future projects at the site will include developing excavators, wheel loaders and road and utility products – all specifically designed for emerging markets.

‘Opening a technical centre in China plays an important role in Volvo CE achieving its growth ambitions,’ explained Anders P. Larsson, executive vice president of Volvo CE’s Technology function. ‘The Jinan Technology Center is an important element in our plan to have a global footprint of engineering and design resources. The facility will help us to expand and develop Volvo CE’s global product portfolio.”

Mats Sköldberg, president of Volvo CE Technology, China, added: ‘Volvo specifically chose to invest in the city of Jinan – confirming our confidence in local engineering. China is the biggest, and now perhaps the most important, market for us and we know that it is vital to have a design and manufacturing presence where the machines are used.

‘It gives us a greater understanding of our customers and their needs – and that’s a big advantage in today’s highly competitive global marketplace. With this new facility we will be able to provide machines tailored to the needs of the marketplace and deliver them to customer specifications in a shorter lead time.’