Our history

1832
Johan Theofron Munktell starts his workshop in Eskilstuna.

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

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

1853
Munktells manufactures Sweden’s first locomotive.

1880
Bolinders participates in manufacturing the world’s first functional, armed submarine.

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

1906
Even before the age of the tractor, Munktell's started to build construction machinery and the first piece to be built was 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 converted 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 thanks to the acquisition of Arvika- Thermaenius AB Arvikaverken.

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

1972
Volvo introduced ROPS, a cab with a structure designed to protect the operator if the machine overturned.

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

1985

• The VME Group is formed.
• Volvo allies with Clark Equipment and enters the Americas.
• Michigan wheel loaders 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 Gjuteri och Mekaniska Verkstad and adds excavators to its product offering.

1995

• ME becomes a fully owned Volvo company and changes name to Volvo Construction Equipment.
• 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 Samsung CE.

2001
Volvo Construction Equipment announced the successive introduction of a new range of backhoe loaders of own design.

2002
Launch of in-house designed backhoe loader.

2003
Production of our 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 Construction Equipment and SDLG enter into a joint venture.
• Volvo launches the L350F, a new 50-ton wheel loader.

2014
Volvo Construction Equipment finalizes the acquisition of the hauler business from Terex.

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.