Skip to main content

Volvo CE R&D to drive down product cost

New Volvo Construction Equipment president Martin Weissburg has revealed a new emphasis for the company’s future R&D strategy – and stressed ongoing work to boost profitability. Speaking during the Swedish manufacturer’s Conexpo 2014 press conference, Weissburg, who assumed his role in January 2014, said, “There will be greater allocation of our R&D dollars towards innovations that reduce product cost. This will not be at the expense of quality or durability.”
March 7, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
Volvo CE president Martin Weissburg said the manufacturer will focus R&D dollars on innovation that drives down product cost
New 2394 Volvo Construction Equipment president Martin Weissburg has revealed a new emphasis for the company’s future R&D strategy – and stressed ongoing work to boost profitability.

Speaking during the Swedish manufacturer’s Conexpo 2014 press conference, Weissburg, who assumed his role in January 2014, said, “There will be greater allocation of our R&D dollars towards innovations that reduce product cost. This will not be at the expense of quality or durability.” 

Of Volvo CE’s current trading priorities, Weissburg added, “Volvo Construction Equipment has a focus on profit improvement. We are not pleased with recent results, and our focus, resources and energies are very much on gaining [market] share, improving profitability at the same time, and the continuous improvement programme that is already in place on operating efficiency, expense reduction and getting greener.

“We are in the process of improving our profitability as a global organisation. We are not and will not wait for market growth to solve this for us. We do not as of today see significant levels of growth. On a global basis, we see things as relatively flat.”

Volvo CE has used Conexpo 2014 to unveil its new range of Tier 4 machines including the E-Series excavators, G-Series articulated haulers and H-Series wheeled loaders.
www.volvoce.com

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Astec Industries emphasises innovation at Conexpo 2014
    March 4, 2014
    Astec Industries, which is showcasing 45 pieces of equipment at this week’s Conexpo 2014, most of it new or upgraded, has outlined its plans for the future with president and CEO Ben Brock stressing that the group is going on a major export drive.
  • Volvo CE making moves
    June 26, 2025
    Volvo CE is making major moves to boost sales for Europe while selling its stake in SDLG.
  • Terex looks for internal growth and strong margins
    January 6, 2017
    Terex Corporation chairman and CEO Ron DeFeo is predicting strong growth over the next three years, with the aim of US$10bn revenues by 2015, up from $7.3bn in 2012. However, unlike so often in the past, he is not looking for acquisition but to develop the existing business. Indeed, the company has recently sold off much of its road construction business, as it was struggling to expand that division.
  • Terex looks for internal growth and strong margins
    April 17, 2013
    Terex Corporation chairman and CEO Ron DeFeo is predicting strong growth over the next three years, with the aim of US$10bn revenues by 2015, up from $7.3bn in 2012. However, unlike so often in the past, he is not looking for acquisition but to develop the existing business. Indeed, the company has recently sold off much of its road construction business, as it was struggling to expand that division.