Volvo Construction Equipment released its refurbishment program in 2008 based on the premise that a mid-life remake of equipment is, many times, the best economical option for machine owners. It can drive machine uptime, controls cost and enhances residual value, the company said. Studies have demonstrated that for Volvo heavy equipment the best refurbishment window is between 12,000 to 20,000 operating hours, depending on the application and maintenance practices.
“During our months of investigation into a program of this type, we became convinced that a system built upon high standards of dealer certification, firm content, time committed agreements and backed by factory warranties would enhance the productivity and profitability of equipment and the businesses owning them,” said Kevin Stock, product manager, and developer and manager of the program. “We are now seeing the fruits of our labor — customers are seeing the benefits of ‘starting over,’ if you will.”
The Volvo CE certified refurbishment program begins with a thorough project scope of parts to be rebuilt/replaced that has been determined through detailed analysis of the equipment. In addition, an inspection and analysis of the machine is performed, and its current condition and make recommendations for specific rebuilding are determined. The machine is disassembled to the level required for the rebuild and components are rebuilt or replaced.
Every stage of the refurbishment procedure — from the initial inspection through final reassembly to operational tests — follows strict and unrelenting guidelines and is thoroughly documented. Warranties are provided for specific rebuild/refurbishment actions, and follow-up inspections are made within a specified time frame of placing the “new” machine back into operation. Reassembly of the machine includes repainting, adding new decals, and detailing the cab of the machine for that new machine look.
Since the Volvo CE Certified Refurbishment Program went active in the industry in late 2008, the company has been strategically certifying dealers throughout the North America region. “The dealer certification process is as rigid and demanding as the requirements for work on the machine itself,” said Stock. “Volvo CE requires our dealers to pass a 200-point evaluation before being named a certified dealer for this program.”
Current Volvo CE dealers certified to provide the refurbishment service to equipment owners are:
• ASC Construction Equipment USA in Buford, Ga., and Mills River, N.C.
• Clyde/West Inc. in Portland, Ore., and Seattle
• Flagler Construction Equipment in Ft. Myers, Fla.
• McClung-Logan Equipment in Salem, Va.
• PennJersey Machinery in Lionville, Pa.
• Rudd Equipment Co. in Corbin, Ky., and Evansville, Ind.
• Strongco Equipment, in Mississauga, Ontario
