May 2012

AP&T plays key role as Volvo Cars invests for the future  

Volvo Cars is drafting plans for its next car model, and press hardening technology will play a central role. AP&T has been entrusted to supply a turnkey press hardening plant for car body parts to Volvo's factory in Olofström, which located in southeast Sweden.

"This is a strategically important investment decision for Volvo Cars and a large and prestigious order for us," says Per Josefsson, Global Sales and Service Manager at AP&T.

Focus on safety and the environment
The press hardening technology enables car body parts to be manufactured that combine low weight with high strength and rigidity. Lighter weight and more fuel-efficient cars can be produced while maintaining the level of safety. The product advantages are right on target with Volvo's ambition to manufacture cars with world-class safety and environmental qualities.

In modern Volvo cars, press-hardened parts constitute between seven and seventeen percent of car body weight. There will be twice as many press-hardened items in the next generation of body parts being built on Volvo's new platform.

This primarily pertains to the parts that form the car's safety cage, which is a rigid frame meant to prevent injury. It surrounds the passenger compartment and protects the driver and passengers in the event of a collision.

Volvo to manufacture own press-hardened parts
As a means of ensuring access to press-hardened parts that have the right quality at the right price, Volvo has decided to manufacture some of its own press-hardened parts to supplement the parts it buys from external suppliers. This should be seen in light of the fact that the entire global automotive industry is increasingly using press-hardened parts and that supplier production capacity from a long-term perspective runs the risk of reaching its limitations.

Winning concept from AP&T
Ever since Volvo made the decision to invest in July 2011, Roger Mattsson, the project manager in charge of the initiative at Volvo Cars in Olofström, and his team have worked hard getting ready for the upcoming shift in technology.

Finding a cooperation partner capable of supplying the right solution was very important. AP&T presented a press hardening concept with a combination of tested and new technology that matched Volvo's needs perfectly.

The procurement process was completed in October 2011, and intense collaboration between the companies is now ongoing for design, testing and analysis. Collaboration will result in two complete and turnkey press hardening lines that can be operated around the clock. In addition to the technical equipment needed to transform a blank into a finished car body part, training, service and support are included in the delivery. The delivery will be executed in 2015.

Belief in the future in Olofström
The investment in press hardening signals a belief in the future on the part of Volvo in Olofström after a few tough years in the wake of the 2008-2009 financial crisis. This is a long-term strategic investment that will allow Volvo to continue developing safe cars with low fuel consumption and a low level of emissions, thus strengthening the company's competitiveness on the global market. At the same time, the investment also emphasizes the importance of the operations in Olofström.

Breakthrough for AP&T
The transaction is one of AP&T's biggest ever, and it is also the first time AP&T will supply to Volvo Cars.

"It is naturally extremely gratifying to start supplying to Volvo, which is a globally recognized brand with top-class products and a company that places stringent demands on its suppliers. The transaction is also proof that our own purposeful investment in press hardening is the right path to take. It reinforces our position as the industry leader in the field," says Per Josefsson.