Our history

1832
Johan Theofron Munktell starts his workshop in Eskilstuna.

1839
The first premises were very modest, so Munktell builds a new manufacturing plant that is completed in 1839.

1844
Jean and Carl Gerhard Bolinder found Kungsholmens Gjuteri & Maskin Verkstad in Stockholm, Sweden.

1853
Munktells manufactures Sweden’s first locomotive.

1880
Bolinders participates in manufacturing the world’s first submarine in history to fire a torpedo while submerged under water.

1893
Bolinders builds Sweden’s first combustion engine (Weyland’s patent).

1906
Even before the age of the tractor, Munktells start to build construction machinery and the first piece to be built is a steam-powered road roller.

1913
Munktells produces Sweden’s first tractor.

1932
Bolinder’s and Munktell’s companies merge to form Bolinder-Munktell.

1940
During World War II, the company converts production to manufacture – amongst other products – aircraft engines.

1950
Volvo buys Bolinder-Munktell.

1954
The company's successful wheel loader history was initiated with one of the world's first wheel loader with attachment bracket, the H-10.

1960
The line of wheel loaders is expanded with the acquisition of Arvika- Thermaenius AB Arvikaverken.

1966
Volvo BM launches the world’s first series manufactured articulated hauler.

1972
Volvo introduces the ROPS-certified cabs. The unique structure protects the operator if the machine overturns.

1982
Rigid haulers are added to complement the hauler line, following the acquisition of AB Kockum Landsverk.

1985

• The VME Group is formed.
• Volvo partners with Clark Equipment and enters the Americas.
• Michigan wheel dozers and Euclid rigid haulers are added to the portfolio.

1990
Compact wheel loaders are added to the range thanks to the acquisition of Zettelmeyer Baumaschinen GmbH.

1991
Volvo acquires Åkermans Verkstad AB and adds excavators to its product offering.

1995

• VME becomes a fully owned Volvo company and changes its name to Volvo CE.
• Compact excavator line is extended through the acquisition of Pel-Job.

1997
The road range is initiated as a result of the launch of the motor grader line and the acquisition of Champion Road Machinery.

1998

• The new 30 ton wheel loader Volvo L220D impressed with its productivity and low fuel consumption.
• Acquisition of the construction equipment division of Samsung Heavy Industries.

2001
Volvo CE announces the introduction of a new range of backhoe loaders of own design.

2002
Launch of new in-house designed backhoe loader.

2003
Production of Volvo CE's skid steer loader begins in Asheville.

2005
EC700B – an excavator in the 70-ton class – is launched by Volvo.

2006

• Volvo G900-series graders see the light of day.
• With an integrated electric-diesel hybrid concept, Volvo shows how to save energy and the environment.

2007

• Volvo launches the world’s first full-suspension articulated hauler.
• Acquisition of Chinese Lingong and Ingersoll Rand road construction.
• Volvo CE and SDLG enter into a joint venture.
• Volvo launches the L350F, a new 50-ton wheel loader.

2014

• Volvo CE finalizes the acquisition of the hauler business from Terex.
• Launch of the Construction Climate Challenge (CCC) – an initiative to promote sustainability throughout the entire construction industry value chain.

2016

• The Volvo CE's largest articulated hauler to date, the A60H, is introduced.
• Volvo Co-Pilot system is unveiled. 
• Introduction of a range of futuristic concepts at the Xploration Forum in Eskilstuna: the prototype of the LX1 hybrid wheel loader and an electric site solution to showcase the new HX1, an autonomous, battery-electric, load carrier.

2017

• Volvo CE’s headquarters move from Brussels (Belgium) to Gothenburg (Sweden).
• Volvo CE unveils the next generation electric load carrier concept, the HX2, and the EX2, a fully electric compact excavator prototype.

2018

• Launch of the first Volvo-branded range of rigid haulers.
• Introduction of the LX2 electric compact wheel loader concept.
• Volvo CE and Skanska record ground-breaking results from the Electric Site research project, the world’s first ‘emission free’ quarry.

2019

• Volvo CE announces that by mid-2020 it will begin to launch a range of electric compact excavators and wheel loaders.
• Unveiling of the first electric compact excavator and wheel loader at bauma, Munich.
• Acquisition of the Swedish machine adaptation specialist CeDe Group.
• Telia, Ericsson and Volvo CE launch Sweden’s first 5G network for industrial use at Volvo CE’s facility in Eskilstuna. 
• Volvo and SDLG announce that, as of December 2020, all excavators above 15 tons that are made for the Chinese market will be consolidated into one product line based on the latest Volvo technology.

In this beautiful old brick building you get to experience more than 180 years of Swedish industrial history. A “don’t miss” when visiting Eskilstuna.

This is the perfect place to get a comprehensive view of the development of Volvo; from the first ÖV4 to the current cars, trucks, buses and other vehicles.

The museum of Arvikaverken is located in one of West Sweden's oldest industrial buildings. Here, many periods in the history of the company are on show.