STORIES FROM THE WORLD OF VOLVO GROUP CUSTOMER FOCUS UD TRUCKS’ NEW ORGANISATION 5 . 2 016 PUTS SERVICE FIRST TIPS TO WOW 5 A CROWD SERVICE MINDED PREVOST KEEPS NEW YORK CITY MOVING ATTENTION TO DETAIL HOW FOCUSING ON THE SMALL THINGS IS HELPING THE VOLVO GROUP GROW IN GERMANY EDITORIAL Time to get moving towards our targets! ’M ONE OF those people who think that whether you work in a management team or at every day at work is actually interesting one of our plants, whether you meet customers and rewarding. Although I have to admit, or work at a staff unit, we all have the potential it’s always better to go to work when plans to make a difference. have been finalised and everyone knows This is precisely the theme of this issue of Iwhat they need to do and why. After all the Volvo Group Magazine: how we all have a role changes we have made in 2016, this is exactly to play in realising our objectives. Read how we where the Group finds itself now. It is time for are working in different ways to enhance quality, us to move towards our targets and show our full how the employees at the Distribution Center capabilities! in Ghent, Belgium, are working to improve 2016 has been a year filled with changes for customer access to parts, how our employees at everyone at the Volvo Group. In the beginning the Bourg plant in France succeeded in becoming of the year, we introduced a new brand-based a productivity leader, and how we are working organisation with clearly defined responsibilities to win and maintain customer confidence in one that brings decisions as close to the customer of the world’s most competitive as possible. We adopted a new orientation with truck markets – Germany. new objectives, values and strategic priorities. All these stories have one Our new brand-based business areas and truck thing in common: they are the divisions have since been working to put all this sum of everyone’s efforts to into practice, developing their own strategic make a difference. The targets objectives and priorities, supporting what we have been set. Let’s go! want to achieve together. ALL THIS WORK has laid the foundations for the Group’s road ahead and I am convinced this is creating the right conditions to lift every part of our organisation, and thereby the Group as a whole, to new levels. Now the interesting part of our journey begins, because the right plan and the right organisation is just the first step. We must all join forces and implement all the changes and MARTIN LUNDSTEDT improvements we wish to achieve. And when PRESIDENT AND CEO, I say everyone, I mean everyone. Regardless of VOLVO GROUP VOLVO GROUP MAGAZINE is aimed at all the co-workers within the Volvo Group. It is published five times a year in Swedish, English, German, French, Portuguese for Brazil, Polish, Russian, Japanese, Dutch, Korean, Thai, Chinese and Spanish. PRINT RUN approx. 88,000 copies ADDRESS Volvo Group Magazine, Volvo Group Headquarters, Dept AA13400, VHK3, SE-405 08, Göteborg, Sweden PHONE +46 (0)31 66 00 00 E-MAIL [email protected] EDITOR RESPONSIBLE UNDER SWEDISH PRESS LAW Markus Lindberg EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lotta Bävman EDITORS Ann-Mari Robinson, Carita Vikstedt, Tobias Wilhelm and Joanna Dembicka. A Group-wide Editorial Network also contributes content. MARKET LANGUAGE REVIEW Lotta Bävman EDITORIAL PRODUCTION Spoon (project team: Maria Sköld, Linda Swanberg, Nic Townsend, Lina Törnquist, Pernilla Stenborg, Ken Niss, Sofia Hammarin) PRINTED BY RR Donnelley CHANGE OF ADDRESS Contact your local HR TRANSLATED BY Jeanette Kliger 2 VOLVO GROUP MAGAZINE 5.2016 5.2016 12 Inside Europe’s powerhouse SPECIAL Volvo Group Magazine takes an in-depth look at Germany, one of the most important markets in the world, and where customers expect excellence. 28 An average day in a vital role What does a day as a parts picker look 12 like? Meet Stefanie Rooyackers at the outbound distribution centre in Ghent, Belgium. 37 Putting quality and service first The reorganisation of UD Trucks will mean greater responsibility, faster decisions, increased flexibility and ultimately, even better customer service. 46 On the move in New York City Prevost is expanding from its traditional 28 37 base in customised coaches into mass transit, starting with one of the world’s greatest cities. 52 Machines from the future Volvo CE is closely collaborating with customers to develop concept vehicles that make use of the full potential of emerging technology. ALWAYS INSIDE 4 START 64 INSIGHTS 46 52 68 QUIZ VOLVO GROUP MAGAZINE 5.2016 3 start AROUND THE WORLD WITH THE VOLVO GROUP PHOTOS: VOLVO PENTA PENTA VOLVO PHOTOS: Volvo Penta’s Glass Cockpit System. The e-Key Remote – an industry first. The new patented Joystick for inboard applications. Volvo Penta Boating Challenge puts new products to the test IN 2016, Volvo Penta released a number of new continuing to lead the way with innovation in the products for the marine leisure segment, and to marine segment,” says Stefan Carlsson, head demonstrate the full potential of each product, it has of Volvo Penta’s Marine Diesel segment. “All our also produced a series of short online films: the Volvo products are developed according to our philosophy Penta Boating Challenge. Each episode shows the of ‘easy boating’ and the Volvo Penta Boating tangible benefits of a product by putting it to the test Challenge shows how much easier and fun operating in a set of challenges. a boat can be.” The new products include a new D8 engine and The new products were first unveiled to the public matching IPS pod, which expands Volvo Penta’s last July at the Sydney International Boat Show, and offer to an even wider range of boats; a widescreen have subsequently featured at boat shows in Cannes, format of the Glass Cockpit System; a patented new Southampton, IBEX, Fort Lauderdale and most Joystick specifically for inboard applications; and a recently at Metstrade in Amsterdam. Battery Management System with e-Key Remote – a To see each innovative product in action, watch first in the marine industry. all four episodes of the Volvo Penta Boating “With these new products, Volvo Penta is Challenge on the Volvo Penta website. New study proves VDS reduces injuries BY REDUCING the physical strain of 20 drivers, where muscle activity was steering a bus, Volvo Dynamic Steering measured during left turns, right turns, (VDS) can lessen the risk of work-related roundabouts and driving straight ahead, injuries among bus drivers. This has been both with and without VDS. proven by a scientific study carried out “There’s no doubt that this type of by the VTI (Swedish National Road and system improves the driver’s working Transport Administration), which showed environment. Many drivers experience pain that, on average, VDS cuts muscular strain in their joints and muscles and it is obvious by 20–30 per cent, and up to 70 per cent that they benefit from a system of this sort,” for certain manoeuvres. says Dr Anna Anund, associate professor Volvo Dynamic Steering (VDS) provides The study consisted of tests involving and head of research at VTI. improved driving stability, comfort and safety. 4 VOLVO GROUP MAGAZINE 5.2016 Gold in Cannes THE VOLVO GROUP won the Gold Dolphin at the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards for its latest corporate film. With the help of some of Europe’s best miniature worlds, the film shows how the Group’s trucks, buses, construction equipment and engines are essential to everyday life for people around the world. 93% is the portion of Volvo Step participants who are now working or studying. 81 per cent have found employment and 12 per cent now study. This was shown in a survey of 1,200 participants from the first three intakes. The Volvo Step is a training programme for young people between 18 and 22, which is organised by the Volvo Group in Sweden. Last October, a further 88 participants graduated from the programme. As of November, 84 new participants were accepted. PHOTO: TOBIAS WILHELM TOBIAS PHOTO: Scania, Renault, Iveco, Volvo, MAN, DAF and Mercedes were the truck brands that were test-driven. Keeping an eye on the competition HOW DO THE DRIVING characteristics of a Scania truck and a Volvo truck differ? And how does the transmission on a Mercedes truck actually work? During the year, more than 800 sales staff from Renault Trucks and Volvo Trucks, together with staff from head offices, have had a unique opportunity to improve their product knowledge. Participants from all over the world got the chance to test drive trucks from the seven large European brands. New fuel economy tool These test drives took place at a fenced-off proving for Mack customers ground outside Gothenburg in Sweden, enabling also people without a truck licence to experience sitting MACK TRUCKS’ CUSTOMERS transmission, tyres and aerodynamic behind the wheel. recently gained an advantage in their enhancements. The tool is designed “The training has a practical part and a theoretical search for fuel efficiency savings – to save fuel and boost the customer’s part,” says Claes Hillén, Group Manager for Sales thanks to a new fuel economy tool. bottom line. “Even with today's low Argumentation, who organised the training together with The Mack fuel economy tool fuel prices, fuel remains the single Product Offer colleagues. “The next step will be to offer allows users to choose from a largest expense for the vast majority the theoretical part to other colleagues within Volvo number of Mack Pinnacle options of our highway customers,” says Trucks.