Linamar Corp., parent company of aerial work platform manufacturer Skyjack, said this week that it will occupy the Asheville, N.C., factory vacated by Volvo Construction Equipment last year when it transferred production to Shippensburg, Pa. Linamar said it plans to employ up to 400 workers in the plant that was acquired this week by Buncombe County Commissioners for $7 million.

Linamar plans to use the plant to manufacture axle parts to supply to a Caterpillar plant currently under construction in Winston-Salem, N.C., where Caterpillar will make off-road trucks used for mining. It will also manufacture engine blocks to supply Volvo for its tractor-trailers.

Linamar will purchase the plant from the county next year, according to county officials.