Volvo Construction Equipment
A Volvo Group business that develops, manufactures, and markets construction and related heavy equipment worldwide. Volvo CE is the construction-equipment business and brand associated with Volvo Group, serving customers through regional websites, dealers, machinery, parts, and services.
Last updated October 16, 2026
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Overview
Volvo Construction Equipment, commonly known as Volvo CE, is the Volvo Group business responsible for construction machinery and related equipment. Its portfolio serves construction, quarrying, infrastructure, road building, mining, and other material-handling applications. The company predominantly sells equipment under the Volvo brand and has historically operated additional marques and businesses, including SDLG and Rokbak. Volvo CE traces its industrial heritage to nineteenth-century Swedish engineering companies. Johan Theofron Munktell began the enterprise that later became part of the group in Eskilstuna in 1832. The Bolinder brothers had separately built a machinery business in Stockholm from 1844. Their companies merged in 1932 as AB Bolinder-Munktell, creating the principal Swedish industrial predecessor of Volvo's construction-equipment operations. Volvo acquired Bolinder-Munktell in 1950, after which the business expanded from agricultural and industrial machinery into construction equipment. Important early developments included the H10 wheel loader, introduced in 1954 with a parallel lift-arm system and attachment bracket, and the DR 631 Gravel Charlie, introduced in 1966 and widely recognized as the first articulated hauler. The business changed names and ownership structures as it developed. It became Volvo BM in 1973, participated in the Volvo BM Valmet tractor arrangement during the 1970s and 1980s, and joined Clark Equipment and Euclid Trucks in 1985 to form VME Group. Excavator expertise was strengthened through the Åkermans business, which became part of VME in 1991. VME became wholly owned by Volvo in 1995 and adopted the Volvo Construction Equipment name. The acquisition of Samsung Heavy Industries' construction-equipment division in 1998 gave Volvo CE a larger manufacturing and commercial presence in South Korea and Asia. Volvo CE's principal product categories include wheel loaders, hydraulic excavators, articulated haulers, rigid haulers, motor graders, soil and asphalt compactors, pavers, backhoe loaders, skid-steer loaders, and milling machines. Manufacturing and production operations have been associated with facilities in Sweden, the United States, Brazil, Scotland, France, Germany, Poland, India, China, Russia, and South Korea, although the footprint and product allocation have changed over time. The company expanded in China through a 2007 agreement under which Volvo acquired a 70 percent interest in SDLG, with Lingong Group retaining a minority position. SDLG equipment was sold as a separate, more value-oriented line until Volvo CE divested the business in 2025. Volvo also acquired the Terex heavy-haul truck business in 2014. The rigid-hauler range was subsequently brought under the Volvo brand, while the Motherwell-built articulated haulers were eventually relaunched under the Rokbak name in 2021. Volvo CE later announced that Rokbak production would end and the Scottish site would concentrate on Volvo-branded rigid haulers. The business has also pursued electrification and portfolio restructuring. It began delivering ECR25 Electric compact excavators to customers in 2020. In 2024, it completed the divestment of its global ABG paver business to Ammann Group. In 2025, it announced and completed the sale of its China-based SDLG business to Lingong Group. Volvo CE positions itself around productivity, safety, durability, digitalization, and lower-emission construction solutions, while remaining part of the wider Volvo Group rather than operating as an independent listed company.
History
Volvo Construction Equipment is the modern successor to a series of Swedish engineering and machinery businesses whose histories reach back to the early nineteenth century. In 1832, Johan Theofron Munktell established an industrial enterprise in Eskilstuna. A separate business founded by Jean and Carl Gerhard Bolinder in Stockholm began producing steam engines and related machinery from 1844. The two companies merged in Eskilstuna in 1932 as AB Bolinder-Munktell. Among its notable products was the BM 25 tractor, introduced in 1934. Volvo acquired Bolinder-Munktell in 1950. The acquisition provided Volvo with an established machinery operation and a platform for developing construction equipment. In 1954, the business introduced the H10 wheel loader, whose parallel lift-arm system and attachment bracket were significant design features. In 1966, it produced the DR 631 Gravel Charlie, regarded as the world's first articulated hauler. The company changed its name to Volvo BM AB in 1973. Its agricultural-equipment activities were later connected with Valmet, and the tractor-manufacturing division was sold to Valmet in 1985. Also in 1985, Volvo BM joined Clark Equipment and Euclid Trucks in VME Group. The group broadened its excavator capabilities through the addition of Åkermans Verkstad in 1991. The Åkermans and Landsverk traditions included early crawler and hydraulic excavator development, helping establish a deeper construction-machinery portfolio. VME became fully owned by Volvo in 1995 and was renamed Volvo Construction Equipment. Volvo CE accelerated its international expansion in the late 1990s and 2000s. In 1998, it acquired Samsung Heavy Industries' construction-equipment division, an important step in building its Asian production and sales presence. In January 2007, Volvo acquired a 70 percent interest in Chinese manufacturer SDLG, while Lingong Group retained a minority interest. The arrangement gave Volvo a stronger position in China and supported a separate SDLG-branded range. Volvo CE also acquired a road-construction-equipment division from Ingersoll Rand in 2007. The company expanded its heavy-haul offering in 2014 by acquiring Terex's articulated and rigid hauler business, including Terex Equipment Ltd in Scotland. In 2018, the rigid-hauler range was rebranded Volvo, while the articulated-hauler line retained Terex branding for a period. Volvo CE introduced the Rokbak brand in 2021 for the articulated haulers manufactured at Motherwell. The marque was intended to distinguish a straightforward, lower-complexity product proposition from Volvo's premium construction-equipment range and other competing articulated-hauler brands. Electrification became increasingly visible in the portfolio when Volvo CE began delivering ECR25 Electric compact excavators to customers in December 2020. The company subsequently continued to present electric equipment and lower-emission solutions as part of its broader sustainability and productivity strategy. Portfolio changes continued in parallel. In July 2020, Volvo CE sold the Blaw-Knox paver business to Gencor Industries. In June 2024, it completed the sale of its global ABG paver business to Ammann Group, transferring the Hameln production and technology centre and paving operations in Bangalore and Linyi. Volvo CE announced the divestment of its China-based SDLG business to Lingong Group in June 2025, with completion reported in September of that year. In March 2026, it announced that Rokbak articulated-hauler production would end at the Scottish facility and that the site would focus on rigid-hauler production. Through these changes, Volvo CE remained a Volvo Group business serving global construction, infrastructure, quarrying, and mining customers through a broad equipment range and international manufacturing network.
- 2026
Rokbak production scheduled to end
[1]Volvo CE announced that Rokbak articulated-hauler production would cease and the Scottish facility would focus on Volvo rigid haulers.
- 2025
SDLG business divested
[1]Volvo CE announced and completed the divestment of its China-based SDLG business to Lingong Group.
- 2024
ABG paver business divested
[1]Volvo CE completed the sale of its global ABG paver business to Ammann Group.
- 2021
Rokbak articulated-hauler brand launched
[1]Volvo CE introduced Rokbak as the brand for its Motherwell-produced articulated haulers.
- 2020
ECR25 Electric deliveries begin
[1]Volvo CE began delivering ECR25 Electric compact excavators to customers.
- 2014
Terex heavy-haul truck business acquired
[1]Volvo CE agreed to acquire Terex's heavy-haul truck operations, including Terex Equipment Ltd in Scotland.
- 2007
Majority stake in SDLG acquired
[1]Volvo acquired 70 percent of Chinese manufacturer SDLG, while Lingong Group retained a minority stake.
- 1998
Samsung construction-equipment division acquired
[1]Volvo CE acquired Samsung Heavy Industries' construction-equipment division, expanding its Asian presence.
- 1995
Volvo Construction Equipment name adopted
[1]VME became wholly owned by Volvo and changed its name to Volvo Construction Equipment.
- 1991
Åkermans Verkstad joins VME
[1]The excavator manufacturer Åkermans Verkstad became part of VME, strengthening its construction-equipment capabilities.
Products and positioning
A global construction-equipment provider positioned around productivity, reliability, operator safety, innovation, electrification, and more sustainable construction operations. An international construction-equipment brand offering machinery and related services through regional websites and dealer channels.
Earthmoving equipment
Hydraulic excavators
Volvo CE hydraulic excavators are used for digging, trenching, loading, demolition, quarrying, and material handling. The range spans compact, crawler, and other excavator formats intended for different site sizes and operating requirements.
Earthmoving and material-handling equipment · 1954
Wheel loaders
Wheel loaders form one of Volvo CE's core product families. They are used to load, transport, stockpile, and handle aggregates, soil, construction waste, and other materials. The H10, introduced in 1954, is an important historical predecessor in Volvo's loader development.
Off-road haulage equipment · 1966
Rokbak articulated haulers
Articulated haulers are designed to move bulk materials across uneven or difficult terrain in construction, quarrying, and mining operations. Volvo's lineage includes the DR 631 Gravel Charlie, while later products were sold under Volvo, Terex, and Rokbak branding at different stages. Rokbak was a Volvo CE brand for articulated dump trucks produced at Motherwell in Scotland. It was introduced in 2021 after the former Terex articulated-hauler line was separated from the Volvo-branded rigid-hauler business. Volvo CE announced the end of the brand and production line in 2026.
Mining and heavy-haul equipment · 2018
Rigid haulers
Rigid haulers are heavy off-road dump trucks intended for high-volume material transport in demanding quarrying, mining, and infrastructure environments. Volvo CE integrated the former Terex rigid-hauler line into the Volvo brand from 2018.
Road and earthmoving equipment
Motor graders
Motor graders support grading, road formation, surface preparation, drainage shaping, and final-leveling work. They complement Volvo CE's broader infrastructure and earthmoving equipment portfolio.
Road-construction equipment
Compactors
Volvo CE has offered soil and asphalt compactors for preparing and finishing roadbeds, paved surfaces, and other construction substrates. These machines are part of the company's road-building equipment range.
Electric compact excavator · 2020
ECR25 Electric
The ECR25 Electric is a compact battery-electric excavator developed for lower-emission construction work. Volvo CE began delivering the model to customers in December 2020, making it an early visible product in the company's electrification program.
Value-oriented construction equipment · 2007
SDLG equipment
SDLG was a separately branded construction-equipment business in which Volvo acquired a majority interest in 2007. The range included equipment based substantially on earlier-generation Volvo designs and was associated particularly with the Chinese and value-oriented segments. Volvo CE divested the business in 2025.
Used construction equipment
The official website invites visitors to explore Volvo CE’s current range of products and services. The used-equipment website offers pre-owned machinery, parts, and attachments.
Discontinued product archive
The archive provides specifications, manuals, and other information about discontinued product models.
Brand decisions
2026
End Rokbak production and refocus MotherwellStrategyBackground
Volvo CE reviewed the future of the former Terex production site and its articulated- and rigid-hauler portfolio.
Action taken
The company announced that Rokbak articulated-hauler production would end and that the Scottish facility would focus on rigid-hauler production.
Aftermath
The Rokbak brand and product line were scheduled to be discontinued, with continued activity at Motherwell centered on Volvo-branded rigid haulers.
2025
Divest the China-based SDLG businessM&ABackground
Volvo CE reorganized its Chinese construction-equipment interests after years of operating SDLG as a separate brand with Lingong Group.
Action taken
Volvo CE announced the sale of its SDLG business to Lingong Group and completed the transaction in September 2025.
Aftermath
SDLG no longer formed part of Volvo CE's business portfolio.
2024
Divest the global ABG paver businessM&ABackground
Volvo CE continued to streamline its road-construction portfolio and ownership structure.
Action taken
Volvo CE completed the sale of its ABG paver business to Ammann Group, including operations in Hameln, Bangalore, and Linyi.
Aftermath
Ammann Group became the owner of the transferred paver activities and related production and technology operations.
2021
Create the Rokbak articulated-hauler brandStrategyBackground
Volvo CE wanted to distinguish the Motherwell-produced articulated-hauler products from its existing Volvo-branded articulated trucks.
Action taken
The former Terex articulated-hauler line was relaunched under the Rokbak name.
Aftermath
Rokbak operated as a separate, relatively straightforward product proposition until Volvo CE announced its discontinuation in 2026.
2020
Begin customer deliveries of ECR25 ElectricProduct launchBackground
Volvo CE was developing lower-emission equipment and battery-electric products for construction applications.
Action taken
The company began delivering ECR25 Electric compact excavators to customers.
Aftermath
The model became an early commercial example of Volvo CE's electrification strategy.
2014
Acquire Terex heavy-haul truck businessM&ABackground
The acquisition expanded Volvo CE's articulated- and rigid-hauler activities and added the Motherwell manufacturing operation in Scotland.
Action taken
Volvo CE acquired Terex's heavy-haul truck line, including Terex Equipment Ltd.
Aftermath
The rigid-hauler range moved to the Volvo brand in 2018, while the articulated products later became the Rokbak range.
2007
Acquire majority interest in SDLGM&ABackground
Volvo CE sought stronger access to China's construction-equipment market and broader regional manufacturing and distribution capabilities.
Action taken
Volvo acquired a 70 percent stake in SDLG, while Lingong Group retained a minority interest.
Aftermath
SDLG operated as a separate brand associated with Volvo CE until the business was divested to Lingong Group in 2025.
Recent events
Volvo CE begins U.S.-built excavators and large wheel loaders at Shippensburg plant[3]
Reported:
Volvo Construction Equipment is expanding its U.S. footprint so that more than 50% of its North American machine supply is produced at its Shippensburg, Pennsylvania facility, delivering its first American-built excavators and larger wheel loaders and adding 11 models to be produced there, shortening customer lead times by more than six weeks. The company marked the milestone with an event on Aug. 19 attended by legislators and business and industry leaders.
Volvo CE launches ECR50 compact excavator[4]
Reported:
Volvo Construction Equipment launched the 5-tonne ECR50 zero-tail-swing compact excavator.
SMT GB launches virtual Volvo Construction Equipment exhibition[5]
Reported:
SMT GB teamed up with The 360 View to launch a virtual exhibition showcasing Volvo Construction Equipment in 3D.
Volvo CE partners with Shippensburg Community Resource Coalition[6]
Reported:
Volvo CE partnered with the Shippensburg Community Resource Coalition to fund a new COVID-19 social worker position. The partnership also supports the Coalition’s food security programs.
Volvo Construction Equipment launches Wo+ service commitment[7]
Volvo Construction Equipment formally released its Wo+ service commitment and the slogan “Professional for the long term, sincere to the utmost,” organized around three commitment themes.
Volvo Construction Equipment signs strategic cooperation memorandum with Pudong New Area government[8]
Volvo Construction Equipment and the Shanghai Pudong New Area People's Government signed a strategic cooperation memorandum. The article says Volvo Construction Equipment's Asian headquarters will be based in Pudong, creating an Asia-and-China dual-headquarters structure.
Sources12 sources
- 1Volvo Construction Equipmenten.wikipedia.org
- 2Volvo Construction Equipmentvolvoce.com
- 3沃尔沃建筑设备在希彭斯堡工厂开始生产美国制造的挖掘机与大型轮式装载机leaderpost.com
- 4沃尔沃建筑设备推出 ECR50 紧凑型挖掘机khl.com
- 5SMT GB推出沃尔沃建筑设备虚拟展览hub-4.com
- 6Volvo CE 与 Shippensburg Community Resource Coalition 建立合作constructionequipmentguide.com
- 7沃尔沃建筑设备发布沃+服务承诺news.21-sun.com
- 8沃尔沃建筑设备与浦东新区政府签署战略合作备忘录news.21-sun.com
- 9Volvo CE Unveils CX01 Single-Drum Asphalt Compactor Concept : CEGconstructionequipmentguide.com
- 10Volvo Construction Equipment Introduces 50-Ton Class Excavators : CEGconstructionequipmentguide.com
- 11Volvo launches midi-excavator for Middle East and Africakhl.com
- 12Volvo Unveils Mid-Size Electric Wheel Excavator Concept : CEGconstructionequipmentguide.com
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