August 2014, Vol. 69, No. 8
Business
Volvo CE Inaugurates New Customer Center
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) inaugurated its world class North American Customer Center with a ribbon cutting by Congressman Bill Shuster, Congressman Lou Barletta, Congressman Scott Perry, Volvo CE Americas President Göran Lindgren, Swedish Ambassador to the United States Björn Lyrvall and other dignitaries.
The inauguration marks the realization of Volvo CE’s $100 million investment in its Shippensburg, Pennsylvania facilities, which was announced in 2011.
The investment confirms the company’s long-term commitment to the North American market. The opening of the Customer Center represents the consolidation of Volvo CE’s operations on one site, which included moving the Americas Sales Headquarters from North Carolina to Pennsylvania and localizing machine production in Shippensburg. Volvo’s continued investments reinforce its belief that the economic climate for the construction industry in the region is improving.
“The investments we have made show that Volvo CE is better positioned than ever before to support our dealers and offer our customers a unique experience,” said Volvo CE Americas President Göran Lindgren. “The Customer Center is designed to give our customers and dealers hands-on experience with our machines and provide the help they need to put them to good use through training, information and support.”
Customer Center
The 40-acre Volvo CE Customer Center is a state-of-the-art facility designed to combine sales and operator training with customer and company dealer visits, as well as large-scale events such as the industry-acclaimed Volvo Days. It includes a 20,000 ft² (1,858 m²) Customer Event Facility for the company’s dealers and customers. A new equipment demonstration area replicates actual job sites, helping to accurately demonstrate real world equipment performance. The Customer Center will also house a new brand shop and Heritage Hall, highlighting Volvo’s history. It will also house the Road Institute for customer training in the near future.
Lindgren estimates that more than 6,000 customers, operators and dealer personnel are expected to visit the new complex for training as well as sales and marketing activities annually. An important feature is a demonstration area where customers get firsthand experience of the features, benefits and advantages of Volvo construction equipment. Customers can get hands-on understanding of more than 70 different models to truly experience the machines’ capabilities. Segment areas will be designed to not only highlight the company’s most popular GPPE, Utility and Road Machinery products, but also specialty machines like Volvo CE’s innovative pipelayers and high-reach demolition excavators.
The segment areas will also include:
• Gravel and dirt mounds for excavation
• A challenging 1.5-mile test track with steep grades
• A purpose-built ground structure to demonstrate our industry leading articulated haulers
• A replica quarry application for our powerful L350 wheel loader
The Shippensburg facility makes more than 50 models of construction equipment, including wheel loaders, soil and asphalt compactors, motor graders, pavers, screeds and milling machines. Operations include welding, large machining, paint and assembly. About 1,000 people are employed at the facility.
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