When most people think of towns like Shippensburg in Central Pennsylvania, they think of agriculture. Passing through town you’ll see miles of farmlands with cows grazing across the open fields. You might not notice that this town is home to a world-leader in the construction equipment manufacturing industry. Similarly, when people think of Volvo they likely think of luxury cars known for their industry leading safety features. But the Volvo name also stands as a global leader in construction equipment.
Today the Manufacturing Express arrived to celebrate and promote the equipment manufacturing excellence at Volvo’s Construction Equipment facility in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. We also got to witness an incredible milestone – 50 years of manufacturing in Shippensburg.
This facility first opened its doors in 1974 as Ingersoll Rand– producing compaction products for the construction industry. Over the decades, as the company built a reputation as a high-quality road development equipment manufacturer, its campus would continue to expand. In 2007, Ingersoll Rand’s road development equipment division was acquired by Volvo Construction Equipment. Today, the Shippensburg facility is home to the North American division of Volvo’s global construction equipment powerhouse.
Even as the company has changed and grown, their commitment to the community has never wavered. The campus is next door to Shippensburg Area Senior High School (SASHS), a local public school with an incredibly strong partnership with Volvo. To foster opportunities for local students, Volvo invests heavily in co-ops and internship programs with SASHS, along with other schools in the area. They provide valuable hands-on learning opportunities for students, setting them up for a successful career close to home. Students are learning there’s incredible, innovative work being done right here in their hometown that they can be proud of.
The Volvo facility in Shippensburg manufactures many different types of construction equipment, most notably compactors and compact wheel loaders. But Volvo’s commitment to innovation and the betterment of its community is what’s noteworthy. As society focuses more efforts on sustainability and reducing dependence on fossil fuels, Volvo is leading the way in the construction industry with their fully electric compactor manufactured right here in Shippensburg.
The equipment made here at Volvo is the equipment that paves our roads, connects our communities, and keeps drivers safe. Thanks to the dedication and innovation here in Shippensburg, that work is more sustainable for the next generations of families that will drive our roads. That’s why people like VP and GM Gustavo Casagrandi feel so passionate about the company’s mission.
“It’s an honor to work in such a storied place and continue sharing Volvo’s commitment to training, safety, and sustainability with our community.” said Casagrandi. “I can’t wait to see what the next 50 years brings for our people and our industry.”
