December 2013
CONSTRUCTION WORLD
9
equipment
design is also about the way people experi-
ence things with their senses. Emotional
capital is an important element of design.
In a recent survey, onemachine operator said
that workingwith aVolvo CEmachinemakes
his job seem less brutal – demonstrating
that design can have a profound impact on
how operators feel about their working lives.
Design is not just about form but also about
function; if a machine looks good but is not
useful, that is not design – it is just style.
Design director Stina Nilimaa Wickström
spoke about what design is and howVolvo CE
works with machine design elements – both
inside and out. She also unveiled some of the
company’s new design concepts.
Innovation in core values
Volvo’s core values are quality, safety and
environmental care.Whilemany competitors
also claim these values, only Volvo has had
care for the customer at the forefront of every
product it has made since manufacturing its
first car in 1927. Andwhilemany competitors
have recently becomemore concerned about
sustainability, environmental issues have
been on theVolvo agenda since the company
held its first environmental conference in the
late 1960s.
For Volvo, sustainability is about all three
core valuesworking together inharmony, and
historically, quality, safety and environmental
care have been at the heart of its innovations.
Global communication strategy manager
Arvid Rinaldo explained the heritage ofVolvo
CE’s famous core values, as well as the role
they play in Volvo innovations today.
Tier 4 Final/Stage IV engines
The result of a joint project with Volvo Trucks
and one of the largest development proj-
ects in the Volvo Group’s history, Volvo CE’s
Tier 4f/Stage IV compliant engine line will
begin appearing in the com-
pany’s machines in 2014. Peter
Engdahl, manager of engine
performance, discussed the
USA’s Tier 4 Final and the EU’s
Often the best innovations involve making things simpler, rather than more complex.
The future of machine design.
Stage IV emissions legislation that prompted
the change, before he introduced Volvo CE’s
innovative new fuel-efficient technology.
Future technology
Innovation does not always have to result in
huge changes. It can sometimes be some-
thing small that does not cost much but that
helps customers workmore efficiently. Jenny
Elfsberg, director of emerging technologies,
introduced Volvo CE’s culture, vision for
the future and its innovation models. While
all companies see themselves as innovative,
Jenny explained how innovation is in Volvo
CE’s DNA.
Because it is ingrained in the company’s
culture, Volvo CE gives everyone in the
organisation the opportunity to share their
ideas and, if approved, to run the projects
they have dreamed up.
●
Volvo days
More than 5 000 customers and visitors from Sweden and around the world
descended upon Volvo Construction Equipment’s customer center in Eskilstuna,
Sweden, in August to celebrate the 55
th
anniversary of Volvo Days, a popular event
that provides an opportunity to learnmore about the company’s heritage, products
and services – and glimpse future innovations in the pipeline.
The three week-long event started on27 August, bringing participants from
around the globe to learn about the company’s history, products and services and
experience both historic and futuristic themed activities.
Volvo Days consists of nine customer groups staggered over three weeks, with
as many as 220 people visiting the Customer Center daily. Most groups stayed for at
least two days, taking in a factory tour and visited to the Munktell Museum, where
they learnedmore about Volvo CE’s heritage. Once they experienced the company’s
past, visitors had plenty of time to interact with its modern lineup of products. Dur-
ing Volvo Days, Volvo CE showcased its latest machines, including the L30G and
L35G wheel loaders; the new SD75, SD115 and SD135 soil compactors; seven new
skid steer loader models for Europe with updated engines and new options; and
a variety of excavator attachments, including brakes for excavator and skid steers
and a factory-fitted tiltrotator option. Set tomusic, participants were treated to one
of Volvo’s world-class demonstration shows, which has a ‘cast’ that includes a wide
range of the company’s machines and attachments.
