Our History

Johan Theofron Munktell is commissioned by the city of Eskilstuna, Sweden, to found an engineering workshop for the purpose of developing the local mechanical industry.

The Brothers Jean and Carl Gerhard Bolinder found Kungsholmens Gjuteri & Maskin Verkstad in Stockholm, Sweden.

Johan Theofron Munktell manufactures Sweden’s first steam locomotive.

The Bolinders participate in manufacturing the world's first submarine to fire a torpedo while under water.

The Bolinders build Sweden's first combustion engine.

Even before the age of the tractor, Munktell starts building construction machinery. His first creation is a steam-powered road roller.

Munktell produces Sweden’s first tractor.

Bolinders' and Munktell's companies merge to form AB Bolinder-Munktell.

AB Bolinder-Munktell is purchased by Volvo.

The company introduces its first wheel loader – the H10.

The wheel loader line expands with the acquisition of Arvika-Thermaenius AB Arvikaverken.

The world's first series manufactured articulated hauler, Gravel Charlie, is launched.

ROPS-certified cabs are introduced. The unique structure protects the operator if the machine overturns.

AB Bolinder-Munktell is renamed Volvo BM.

Rigid haulers are added to complement the hauler line, following the acquisition of AB Kockum Landsverk.

The VME Group is formed. It incorporates Volvo BM, Michigan and Euclid, following a partnership with the American manufacturer Clark Equipment.

Compact wheel loaders are added to the range thanks to the acquisition of Zettelmeyer Baumaschinen GmbH.

Excavators are added to the product offering, following the acquisition of Åkermans Verkstad AB.

VME becomes a fully-owned Volvo company and its name changes to Volvo Construction Equipment. The compact excavator line is extended through the acquisition of Pel-Job.

As a result of the launch of the motor grader line and the acquisition of Champion Road Machinery, the road range is initiated.

The construction equipment division of Samsung Heavy Industries is acquired.

CareTrack is introduced, marking an early step in Volvo CE’s development of connected services.

Chinese Lingong and Ingersoll Rand road construction are acquired, and a joint venture is initiated with SDLG. Volvo launches the world's first full-suspension articulated hauler.

Volvo CE acquires Terex's hauler business.

The world's largest articulated hauler to date, the Volvo A60H, is introduced. Volvo Co-Pilot wins Human-Machine Interface award. Volvo CE introduces a range of futuristic concepts: a serial-hybrid wheel loader, an autonomous, battery-electric load carrier and a cable-electric excavator.

The next generation of concept machines is launched – a fully electric excavator and an electric compact wheel loader.

The Swedish machine adaptation specialist CeDe Group is acquired.

Volvo CE introduces its first commercially available electric machines, the ECR25 Electric and L25 Electric, bringing electrification into use. Building on connected machine data, digital services evolve to enable more proactive support, helping customers improve uptime and productivity.

The transformation towards lower-emission technologies accelerates, with the opening of a Fuel Cell Test Lab for hydrogen development in Eskilstuna, Sweden and a commitment to Science-Based Targets aligned with the Paris Agreement.

The electric offering takes a big step with the introduction of the 23-ton EC230 Electric excavator. Volvo CE delivers the world’s first construction machine built with fossil-free steel to a customer, and begins testing of the world’s first hydrogen-powered articulated hauler.