Volvo acquires scat trak line. (Equipment Report).

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), Asheville, N.C., has acquired the rights to the Scat Trak skid steer loader line of equipment. Scat Trak loaders were formerly manufactured by the OmniQuip subsidiary of Textron Inc., Providence, R.I

The assets acquired by Volvo CE include exclusive manufacturing and product design rights to the line of five different skid steers (with operating capacities ranging from 1,350 pounds to 2,450 pounds), tooling and inventory. Volvo did not acquire any of the OmniQuip manufacturing facilities in Port Washington, Wisc., but instead will assemble the skids steers at its Asheville plant.

Volvo CE executives say the product range will be further developed and launched globally under the Volvo brand in late 2002, as part of the company's plan to increase production at the Asheville facility.

"Compared to the market's leading skid steers, the Scat Trak machine emerged as a very competitive product in our extensive tests. Its recognized performance, together with the Volvo brand and strength in distribution, will be extremely beneficial for our dealers and customers," adds Tony Helsham, president and CEO of Volvo CE.

"At the right time and without adding any manufacturing capacity, we have acquired a new first-class product range, which is essential to the further development and broadening of our product range," adds Leif Johansson, president and CEO of parent company AB Volvo.