Volvo Construction Equipment last week hosted members of the media in Shippensburg, Pa., to introduce the company’s new $30 million expansion to the existing facility that it inherited when Volvo Group acquired the road machinery business from Ingersoll Rand in April 2007.

The 200,000-square-foot expansion, which includes a new assembly hall and materials service center, improved manufacturing flow and the work environment, and increased production space. The facility produces soil and asphalt compactors, pavers and screeds, milling machines and, most recently, motor graders for distribution mostly in North America (69 percent), but also to Latin America (10 percent), China (5 percent), Asia excluding China (5 percent), Europe (2 percent), and rest-of-world markets (9 percent).

“Make no mistake, North America is a home market for Volvo CE and one that will have continued focus,” Pat Olney, Volvo CE executive vice president of operations, told RER. “In addition, significant work is also being done to strengthen our North American distribution network.”

The expansion of the Shippensburg facility is LEED certified with features such as a customized building automation system, high-efficiency lighting and skylights, low-volume plumbing fixtures and increased indoor ventilation. The Shippensburg plant, which houses manufacturing, engineering, purchasing, marketing and customer support on site, employs 620 people.

Volvo CE has North American headquarters in Asheville, N.C.