New Volvo CE president meets global trade press at ConExpo-Con/Agg 2014

 Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has used its international press conference at the ConExpo-Con/Agg 2014 (ConExpo) exhibition in Las Vegas to unveil a host of new products – one that sees the introduction of new generations of haulers, wheel loaders, excavators and graders, all meeting the low-emission requirements of Tier 4 Final/Stage IV legislation, which came into force in January 2014. 

In his first major speech since becoming company president on January 1^st, Martin Weissburg also took the opportunity to update the audience on the business rationale of Volvo CE’s ongoing acquisition of rigid and articulated hauler product lines from manufacturer Terex Equipment Ltd (TEL). 

Fundamental product range overhaul

Mr. Weissburg began the press conference by announcing that Volvo CE is ready to meet the challenges of Tier 4 Final/Stage IV legislation. Some of the new-for-2014 machines include the H-Series wheel loaders, E-Series excavators, G-Series articulated haulers and C-Series motor graders, not forgetting a host of emissions-compliant road machinery introductions.  

“This is a significant overhaul of the core product range and our Tier 4 Final-compliant products are now cleaner, more productive – and more fuel efficient than our already industry-leading position, in most applications,” commented Mr. Weissburg. Mr. Weissburg also highlighted that, in addition to award-winning products (the ECR88D excavator recently won an iF Design Award), the company’s operations were also contributing to emissions reduction. Volvo CE’s factory in the Swedish town of Braås, for example, is the company’s first carbon neutral premises and the first construction equipment production facility in the world to be powered entirely by renewable energy.

Terex Equipment Limited acquisition strengthens Volvo CE product line

The press conference was also the first opportunity for Mr. Weissburg to explain to the international media the business rationale behind Volvo CE’s ongoing acquisition of the articulated and rigid hauler product lines from Terex Equipment Ltd. (TEL). “In addition to organic growth there has also been an opportunity for Volvo CE to fill product gaps via acquisition,” he said. “Volvo CE’s existing portfolio is suited to the quarrying and light mining segment – but it has long been clear that there was a rigid hauler gap in the product line up. With sales in mining forecast to rise in the mid-term, now is a good time to enter the market and the Terex haulers – both rigid and articulated – have a proven design and an established market population. Volvo CE shall continue to produce and support Terex Trucks under the Terex brand, and will also continue to support Terex Trucks manufactured and sold prior to completion of the acquisition.”

 

Mr. Weissburg continued his presentation by discussing the highlights of the company’s participation at ConExpo. Befitting the ‘innovation’ theme of the exhibit, Volvo CE also showcased its futuristic compact excavator. The result of a collaboration between feted Swedish designer Monica Förster and Volvo CE’s R&D team, the concept machine – codenamed GaiaX – combines fully electric functionality with advanced human-machine interfaces and beautifully simple Scandinavian design. That’s not all: showing just how compact the company can go, Mr. Weissburg also showed its ultra-compact, remote controlled L350F model – the result of a collaboration with global toy giant LEGO Group.

Volvo Penta

Mr. Weissburg was then joined on stage by Björn Ingemanson, president of Volvo Penta.  Mr. Ingemanson highlighted the company’s new range of Tier 4 Final-compliant engines, with their selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology. “We developed our Tier 4 Final solution with easy installation, low fuel consumption and minimal maintenance in mind,” he said. “We are confident that the new range is an ideal fit for both OEMs and end users, and we’re proud to now offer a complete line of engines that’s suitable for a number of applications in even the toughest environments.”