Volvo announces new $30 million expansion in Queensland

[kscarbel2]

Manufacturer’s Monthly  /  March 23, 2016

Volvo’s global CEO has backed manufacturing in Australia, turning the first sod on a new $30 million headquarters and dealership in Wacol, Queensland.

Volvo made over 2,000 trucks last year and has a 26.2 per cent of the local market. It has been operating at Wacol since 1972.

Martin Lunstedt, Volvo’s new president and CEO, said that the integrated nature of the company in Australia was important to its success.

“We see the benefits (of doing business in Australia), it is not about a must have, it is about what we want to have in order to serve our customers better,” Lundstedt told The Australian.

“It’s not only the manufacturing, it’s also the engineering footprint. That engineering footprint is also important to have the right solutions for the Australian and New Zealand market.”

The Australian Industry Group’s national manufacturing director Mark Goodsell said the investment was good news.

"It's great to see a prestigious and successful international company supporting local manufacturing and backing the skills and commitment of Australian managers and workers," he told Big Rigs.

Despite the downturn in local car making – with Ford to end their Australian manufacturing operations this year, followed by Holden and Toyota next year – truck manufacturing continues to perform strongly.

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[kscarbel2]

Global Volvo Group CEO breaks ground for new Brisbane headquarters

Prime Mover Magazine  /  March 22, 2016

Key Volvo staff and leading industry personalities gathered in Brisbane yesterday to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for Volvo Group Australia’s (VGA) new $30 million headquarters at the Metroplex Westgate business park.

Once finished, the new development will also be home to a new flagship dealership and directly overlook the busy Ipswich Motorway, which is frequented by close to 100,000 vehicles per day.

The ceremony was attended by the Volvo Group’s new global President and CEO, Martin Lundstedt and UD Trucks’ Executive Chairman, Joachim Rosenberg, as well as the Ambassador of Sweden to Australia, Per Ahlberger, and Australian Trucking Association (ATA) Chair, Noelene Watson.

“Volvo has been building trucks in Brisbane for more than 40 years and has a bright future here,” said Lundstedt, who also toured VGA’s Wacol assembly plant yesterday and went out for a drive in a Mack Titan.

“Wacol is the largest truck assembly plant in Australia and its dedicated workforce has enabled VGA to become the largest truck builder in the country.

“I appreciate that manufacturing in Australia has been in decline for a number of years, as it has been in many other countries, but the outlook for our business is strong.

Agreed VGA President and CEO, Peter Voorhoeve: “This is an exciting moment for us, and not just because the new head office will bring together people from various sites across Brisbane and allow us to work more efficiently as one team.

“Most importantly, we are building a new dealership here, which shows that looking after our customers will remain our primary focus as a group.”

Voorhoeve added that the Australian economy was still growing at a healthy 2.5 per cent, “a figure many European countries would love to see. I believe with that in mind, you can still do good business in Australia and work profitably.”

As part of his first-ever visit to Australia, newly appointed global CEO Lundstedt made sure to display a distinct local edge during the ceremony, indicating his leadership style would be pragmatic and “focused on delivering”.

“We have done some great work setting up the Volvo Group globally, and I think we are in a very good space right now. But, economies of scale is one of the most overrated terms in history,” he said – pointing out that VGA’s combined market share of 26.2 per cent would now make it the “market leader” in Australia.

“We’re a hands-on business and focus on what matters, both globally and locally.”

Lundstedt also reaffirmed his commitment to the UD brand, saying it was “extremely important” to the Volvo Group.

“Although we are open to find strategic alliances where we think it’s beneficial for everyone, we stand behind the brand and are absolutely committed to the range that we currently have.”

 

Photo gallery - http://www.primemovermag.com.au/news/article/global-volvo-group-ceo-breaks-ground-for-new-brisbane-headquarters

[kscarbel2]

Volvo Group reaffirms local commitment with new national HQ

Trucks.com  /  March 23, 2016

Global president and CEO Martin Lundstedt has reaffirmed Volvo Group’s commitment to the Australian market, turning the first sod on a new $30 million headquarters and dealership in Brisbane.

Launching construction of the facility at the Metroplex Westgate business park, within reach of the Wacol assembly plant, the global chief says the company "has a very bright future here."

"Volvo has been building trucks in Brisbane for more than 40 years," Lundstedt says.

"Wacol is the largest truck assembly plant in Australia and its dedicated workforce has enabled Volvo Group Australia to become the largest truck-builder in the country."

The Wacol area, which currently holds five company sites, will employ over half of Volvo Group Australia’s national workforce with the addition of the new headquarters next year.

Utilising solar power, LED lighting and rainwater harvesting, Volvo says the energy-efficient facility will include a new VCV Brisbane South dealership and a paint and panel workshop.

Lundstedt says the Volvo Group has invested over $27 million in local manufacturing in recent times, showing its "great confidence in the Australian business."

"I appreciate that manufacturing in Australia has been in decline for a number of years, as it has in many other countries, but the outlook for our business is strong," he says.

With the highest national market share of any truck manufacturer at 26.2 per cent, Volvo Group Australia president Peter Voorhoeve says producing Volvo and Mack trucks in Wacol is an advantage.

"Australia is the toughest trucking environment in the world and it makes sense for us to build locally the specific trucks that the market demands," Voorhoeve says.

"In Australia trucks carry heavier loads for longer distances and in higher temperatures than anywhere else in the world.

"Our team has obviously developed a great understanding of what the Australian transport industry needs and the investment being made here demonstrates how positive we are about the future."

The company produces the Volvo FH, FM, and FMX in Wacol, along with the Mack Granite, Metro-Liner, Super-Liner, Trident, and Titan.

The new facility, which will be home to Mack, Renault, UD, and Volvo truck brands within Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, and the South Pacific Islands, is scheduled to open in late-2017.

 

Photo gallery - http://www.tradetrucks.com.au/product-news/1603/volvo-group-reaffirms-local-commitment-with-new-national-hq/

 

[mrsmackpaul]

Swishy isnt gunna be impressed with this LOL