Geely’s Volvo Car Cars will establish a new global purchasing and manufacturing organisation to reduce complexity and costs.
The new organisation will also create more distinct governance, quality assurance and cost control throughout the entire value chain, the automaker said. It will be headed by Lars Wrebo, currently head of manufacturing.
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“This change is part of our efforts to reduce complexity. We need to strengthen the substantial processes within the company at the same time as we strive to reduce bureaucracy. Lars Wrebo will have a central and comprehensive role through this new function which will be a natural hub together with research & development and product strategy,” said president and CEO Håkan Samuelsson.
The new organisation will be responsible for optimising the value chain, from supplier to manufactured car, through material planning, logistics and manufacturing.
Wrebo has more than 25 years of experience in the automotive industry. He spent most of his career at Scania Group and MAN before joining Volvo in April 2012 as head of manufacturing. In previous positions he has been responsible for the whole production flow, from procurement of material to finished product, and emphasises the suppliers as one important success factor.
“It will be even more vital in the future to view manufacturing at our suppliers as one part of the whole value chain. There is big potential in reducing waste by having a more integrated way of working,” said Wrebo.
Axel Maschka, current head of purchasing, will leave.
The new unit starts operations on 1 July.
