SOURCE: Equipment World | September 17, 2024
VOLVO Construction Equipment have inaugurated new facilities to support the production of electric wheel loaders at their plant in Arvika, Sweden, which specializes in the manufacture of medium and large wheel loaders.
The new, state-of-the-art building, which measures approximately 1,500m2 and was constructed in less than a year following an investment of SEK65 million (US$6.3 million) in 2023, will free up areas inside the existing factory for the production of electric wheel loaders.
As part of the inaugural event on Wednesday 4 September, hosted by Swedish government agency Länsstyrelsen, Sweden’s Prince Carl Philip not only toured the new facilities and met the people who are driving the transformation in Arvika, but also tested a Volvo L110, one of the wheel loaders produced there.
Melker Jernberg, head of Volvo CE, said: ‘This new facility is an inspiration for a future built on sustainable solutions. We are proud to be at the forefront of industry change with large-scale investments, not just here in Arvika but around the globe, that support a transformation towards electrification. Together, we are moving closer towards fossil-free machines.’
Whilst this represents the first step in electrification for the site, Arvika has already moved to reduce its internal climate footprint by 350 tonnes of CO2 through a variety of emission reduction efforts in recent years.
Mikael Liljestrand, general manager of the site, said: ‘Action on climate change is nothing new to us here in Arvika, but it is incredibly exciting to see our vision come to life with these new facilities.
‘We now have the framework in place to drive electrification and expand our growing global portfolio of electric wheel loaders. This will have a positive impact on our industry and society as a whole, but it is also a personal journey for each of us here in Arvika who are playing a significant role in building a more sustainable future.’
Volvo CE say the investment forms part of a wider business strategy that will allow them to advance electric solutions across their global footprint, for the benefit of customers in every corner of the world.
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