Volvo Group last week announced it is further reducing personnel within its Swedish operations as a result of the sharp decline on world markets for heavy vehicles. A total of 1,543 employees are affected by the new layoffs within Volvo Trucks, Volvo Construction Equipment, Volvo Penta and Volvo Powertrain divisions.

Volvo Trucks is serving notice of termination of employment to 655 unionized employees at the company’s facilities in Göteborg and Umeå, Sweden.

As a result of a reorganization and cost-efficiency measures, Volvo Construction Equipment is laying off 125 administrative personnel at the plants in Eskilstuna, Hallsberg and Braås, Sweden. In addition, 100 contracted consultants will leave the company.

Volvo Penta’s downsizing affects 108 employees, of which 56 unionized employees and 52 administrative employees, at the facilities in Göteborg and Vara, Sweden.

Volvo Powertrain is laying off 655 employees, of which 55 administrative personnel and 600 unionized employees, at the facilities in Skövde and Köping, Sweden.

“We are conducting ongoing discussions with the unions regarding shortening of the workweek and view being able to implement parts of these notices with such a solution as positive,” said Stefan Johnsson, senior vice president responsible for human resources within Volvo’s Group executive management. “These agreements are then made locally and are aligned with the needs of the operations.”

Headquartered in Göteborg, Sweden, the Volvo Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications, aerospace components and services. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. The Volvo Group, which employs about 100,000 people, has production facilities in 19 countries and sells its products in more than 180 markets.