Volvo Trucks in Umeå will insource the painting process for plastic cab articles which were previously painted by a company in Belgium. This will be a gradual move which started in the spring. As of next week the next step will be taken when plastic articles, which are located on the side of the cabs, will also be added to the process. The move will be complete by March 2010 and will create up to 130 new jobs in the plant.
Continuous development
Painting sheet metal and plastic simultaneously will provide better quality, a better finish and lower production costs. The move is a part of Volvo Trucks continuous work to improve and create a more efficient organization.
"Competition in the truck market is extremely hard. We must continuously judge and evaluate how we produce our trucks in order to maintain our competitive edge. Continuous improvement is a part of our way of working when it comes to work processes in a single plant or the entire European industrial system." says Anders Olausson, Plant Manager in Umeå.
Such considerations lay behind the decision to insource the plastic painting process. At the same time an analysis is ongoing regarding how the assembly of the interior components for the cab will be dealt with in the future.
"We are reviewing the final assembly process for the cab to determine if it should be carried out in conjunction with the final truck assembly process at our plants or, as is the case now, partially in Umeå. As usual there are many aspects to be included and there are both advantages and disadvantages for both alternatives" says Jan Ohlsson, Manager for Volvo Trucks European plants.
"Even today final assembly of cabs is carried out in conjunction with the truck assembly process at our plants in Gent and Kaluga, as well as our plants in, for example Australia and South Africa. The deciding factor for the decision is what is best and will in the long run strengthen our production system's competitiveness" continues Jan Ohlsson
Umeå a key role
Umeå is an important element is Volvo Truck's global production system. The company has gradually modernized and further developed the plant. The purpose is to create a competitive site with ultra modern production techniques, good working environment and foremost environmental responsibility as a distinctive feature.
"Our operations in Umeå are of the highest class. We have today the worlds most modern and clean painting process, a new flexible robotics line and ultra modern press shop. The current investment will mean we are well equipped for the future" says Anders Olausson.