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Committed to make a difference

People across the globe have witnessed the different effects from COVID-19, both in private and in work. During these times of uncertainty, it has been more important than ever to do take measures in order to make a difference. We have been working in real time to keep our employees safe, limit the impact for society, support our customers and protect our business. We have also taken actions and implemented activities together with a wide range of authorities and companies to see how we can work together to solve problems where the biggest needs were. 

Below we have gathered some of our ongoing initiatives towards employees, customers and society. 

Protecting our employees

The Volvo Group continues to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and adapts measures continuously. Protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of all our colleagues has been and remains the priority. The Volvo Group continues to take action at sites, across operating countries and at Group level. Many workplaces and activities have been adapted to help colleagues keep safe. Communications and education campaigns about health and wellbeing continue across the Group. Some teams across the Group have progressed further with developing proactive approaches towards mental health and wellbeing, raising awareness and ensuring adequate support is available.

Some specific examples of actions we have taken:

  • Regular training and briefings for employees working at sites and those working remotely.
  • Enhanced cleaning and sanitization throughout our facilities.
  • Many of our working employees are performing their duties from home to reduce the spread of the virus.
  • Our open workshops have installed safety zones for employees and drivers to minimize the risk of spreading the virus.
  • We have developed resources and tools, including an app, to help colleagues keep safe by keeping their distance and staying safe.

Supporting our customers

  • We are helping our customers manage their financial needs and the unique demands they may be facing in today’s environment. Our customers can always contact us with any questions or concerns they may have about financial services.
  • We have financing programs and services that can be tailored specifically for our customers, whether they need help with existing trucks, buses and construction equipment, or they would like to make new purchases.
  • During the outbreak we provided a free online medical service through a clinic app for all 30 000 000 truck drivers in China. Dealers in the North region have also provided free masks, disinfectant and vehicle disinfectant spraying when vehicle entering Volvo service station.
  • In Poland we handed out food boxes to drivers who had difficulties finding food as restaurants are closed.
  • In the United States we have supported our customers during COVID-19 by extending the coverage period for its Volvo Trucks Uptime Services support bundle at no cost, or for a minimum of three months (whichever is longer). 
  • We have provided meals to feed truck drivers on the road through sponsoring “CDL life” (one of the United States largest online professional driver communities) “Fueling Our Heroes” Initiative.

Helping our society

  • We have donated three million SEK to the COVAX Facility via UNICEF which aims to ensure rapid, fair and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. 
  • Beredskapslyftet is a Swedish initiative where we have offered all employees with healthcare experience in anaesthesia, intensive care or intermediary care to take part in supporting and providing relief to healthcare workers for 1–3 weeks as a paid absence.
  • We have produced and delivered ~110 000 protective aprons and and ~130 000 face masks Covid-19.
  • In collaboration with Ica, a Swedish food wholesale and retailer, to help secure the Swedish food supply. They have used our freight trains to transport food from Gent in Belgium to Sweden.
  • We have donated 2MSEK to the Red Cross International appeal.
  • During Covid-19 we have sourced 100 000 face masks, 20 000 protection glasses and 50 000 face shields to the health care in Sweden and France.
  • We sponsored Hack the crisis, a hackathon to design, test and develop ideas to fight the crisis.
  • Together with the Swedish Armed Forces we have transported medical supplies within Sweden.
  • We have sourced 3 000 excess PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in our facilities locally to support the local health care systems across the globe.
  • We are funding loaner refurbished laptops and Wi-Fi support to a local school in North Carolina, USA, where over 70% of students come from low-income homes.
  • We have contributed to the COVID-19 relief work by packaging and distributing 4 000 boxes of groceries to unemployed daily wage and migrant workers and their families in Bangalore India, in partnership with Akshaya Patra NGO.
  • In Belgium we have donated electrical motors intended for windshield wipers to production of ventilators.
  • We have made local food donations in North America as the school lunch may be the only reliable source of cooked food for many students that now can’t go to school.
  • We have been supporting “Out of the Garden Project food bank” which feeds children and their families in the Piedmont Triad.
  • 100 laptops have been supplied to Guilford Education Alliance and Peck Elementary  and 1 000 disposable masks, several dozen N95 masks and about 500 pairs of disposable gloves have been delivered to Cone Health Medical Center in USA.
  • In Brazil we have supported the production of 35 000 liters of hand sanitizer as well as several dozen masks, protective eyewear and vests for emergency rooms in Curitiba and Parana State.