The remanufacturing center in Middletown, Pennsylvania, USA, opened in 1980 and is one of six operations around the world under the Volvo Group’s remanufacturing umbrella. On a surface of about 6,500 square meters, powertrain components such as heavy-duty diesel engines, transmissions and carriers for Mack and Volvo trucks are remanufactured on a daily basis. In addition, the Middletown facility also remanufactures for Volvo Construction Equipment and Volvo Buses.
On the factory floor, a seemingly worn-out and rusty engine is being prepped for its first treatment. Firstly, emissions are burned off, then the engine is blasted and washed. The engine is then inspected before it goes through a repair process of several different steps. After assembly, final testing and painting, it is ultimately shipped off to the parts distribution center.
As good as new
“Remanufactured components are as good as new ones, if not better. Besides meeting original factory specifications, we incorporate all the engineering upgrades and the latest requirements in our components,” says Jerry Resh, quality, engineering and environmental manager at the Middletown center.
He has worked with the remanufacturing process for almost four decades – but it is in the last couple of years that the sustainability aspect has been highlighted.
“Remanufacturing is definitely a growing business. It’s a very unique process and we are challenged every day with coming up with new processes to salvage material that can make a positive impact on our planet,” says Jerry Resh.
Next step electromobility
The Volvo Group´s aim is to extend the remanufacturing program to cover more markets and more components. Working with materials that can be easily recycled, reclaimed and remanufactured is also high up on the agenda.
“The next step in remanufacturing is looking into the processes of electromobility. We know that it is the way of the future, we know that our current truck applications will be going to electromobility. It will be a matter of gaining the competence to the point where we are fully prepared,” concludes Jerry Resh.
Learn more about Volvo Group Sustainable strategy.
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