Volvo Trucks is investing about 1.1bn kronor in new production equipment plus capacity and flexibility improvements at its cab factory in Umea.
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The facility has undergone a number of changes in recent years and now the body shop will be modernised and redesigned, including replacement of production equipment that is almost 20 years old.
Previous investments have included the installation of an updated assembly line and a new paint shop – claimed to be the world’s cleanest in terms of solvent emissions. Volvo plans to make Ulmea entirely carbon dioxide-free within a few years.
The current two assembly lines will be replaced by a flexible new system where different cab models can be built on one line, increasing automation and flexibility. The change will be implemented without halting production.
Later this year, Volvo Trucks will submit an application to the local county administrative board in Västerbotten and its environmental assessment delegation for a new licence to cover all operations.
Strong global demand for heavy trucks means Volvo needs more volume world-wide and the truck maker will look at a capacity increase within the framework of its new operating licence.
A new adjusted permit to expand to 66,000 cabs per year was granted in April 2007.
