Grove Worldwide, based in Shady Grove, Pa., has consolidated its North American aerial work platform and industrial crane product lines into the Grove Industrial Products Group. About 140 employees were laid off from the company's Shady Grove plant as a result of the consolidation.

Grove officials said the consolidation allows the company to focus on the more profitable AWP and crane products and on producing larger articulating lifts. Grove markets AWPs, industrial cranes and scissor lifts as a result of an alliance with Guelph, Ontario-based Skyjack.

Ernest Palango will head the consolidated operations and will report to David Birkhauser, senior vice president, sales and marketing for the Americas.

Also, Grove Manlift president Joseph Danules resigned to pursue other interests. "We wish Joe well in his future endeavors and appreciate his efforts in the Manlift business during his tenure at Grove," said Jeffry Bust, Grove Worldwide CEO.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden - Volvo AB's trucks unit will sell in North America a new model designed for construction use as part of an effort by the world's fourth-largest truckmaker to increase business in the region.

The VHD truck was developed over two years at a cost of about $96.9 million, the company said. The truck is the second Volvo has introduced this year, after the FL medium-duty distribution truck in March. The new truck has a 12-liter, 465-horsepower diesel engine and includes an air bag.

Volvo is trying to boost its U.S. market share at a time when North American orders for commercial trucks are slowing. The company's North American sales have fallen 30 percent this year.

The move also comes as Volvo seeks European Commission approval to buy Renault SA's truck division for as much as $2.2 billion.

The purchase would make Volvo the world's second-largest truckmaker and more than double its U.S. market share to 24 percent.