Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is expanding machine production at its Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, facility, with more than 50% of its North American machine supply now produced at the plant.
The expansion adds 11 models to the facility's production portfolio, including excavators and larger wheel loaders. The company said local production will reduce customer lead times by more than six weeks.
The Shippensburg plant now produces 30 machine models, including excavators, wheel loaders and compactors. Volvo CE has invested $40 million in the latest expansion and more than $1.4 billion at the site since 2007. The facility employs more than 750 people.
Volvo CE
The plant's 436,000-square-foot assembly and fabrication area was reconfigured into three flexible production lines capable of producing the full range of excavator, wheel loader and compactor models. The changes also added welding capacity for excavator production.
Volvo CE also has expanded workforce training as part of the production shift. Employees completed more than 180 hours of individual training, including programs at Volvo CE facilities in Sweden, Korea and Brazil.
The company is also working to expand its regional supplier base. Volvo CE said it aims to increase business with Pennsylvania-based suppliers by 30% by 2030. As part of that effort, a supplier is investing more than $1.5 million in a local facility to produce excavator counterweights for the Shippensburg plant.
The expanded production capabilities are intended to give Volvo CE more flexibility in responding to changes in the construction equipment market while increasing its North American manufacturing capacity.
