VolvoCE Strengthens European Roots with Swecon Acquisition
In a bold move that signals a strategic shift in the European construction equipment market, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced its intention to acquire Swecon from its current owner, Lantmännen.
The acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close in the latter half of 2025 and marks a significant milestone in Volvo CE’s retail transformation journey.
This deal isn’t just about expansion—it’s about solidifying a direct link with customers and embedding Volvo CE deeper into some of its most crucial markets: Sweden, Germany, and the Baltics. Together, these territories form a large portion of the European construction landscape, with Germany standing tall as the continent’s largest construction equipment market.
A Broader Footprint with Stronger Control
Once finalised, the acquisition will give Volvo CE full control of Swecon’s operations across Sweden, Germany, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The package also includes Entrack, an aftermarket solutions provider operating in Sweden, Italy, Finland and Poland. With this move, Volvo CE is expected to directly manage retail operations across the majority of its European business.
Swecon’s business scope covers far more than just equipment sales. Volvo CE will gain:
- Full sales and rental operations
- Comprehensive aftermarket services and support
- Offices, workshop infrastructure and logistical capabilities
- A skilled workforce of approximately 1,400 employees
That’s not just an acquisition—it’s a complete ecosystem.
Customer Centricity at the Heart of the Move
At a time when the construction equipment industry is undergoing seismic changes—driven by sustainability demands, digitalisation, and shifting customer expectations—being closer to end users has become more than a nice-to-have. It’s now a necessity.
Melker Jernberg, Head of Volvo CE, underscored this sentiment: “At this time of transformation of our industry where our competitiveness is put to the test, directly collaborating with our customers is even more important to be successful. Through the acquisition of Swecon, we believe we can enhance customer satisfaction.”
Carl Slotte, Volvo CE’s Head of Sales Europe, echoed the strategic importance of the deal: “Owning and managing most of our retail operations in Europe provides us a competitive advantage to better meet the rapidly changing demands of our customers and drive new business models, while bringing in valuable competence from Swecon.”
Lantmännen’s Role and the Business Legacy
The roots of Swecon stretch back over two decades within the Lantmännen group. As an agricultural cooperative with wide-ranging interests—from food and energy to machinery—Lantmännen has nurtured Swecon into a thriving business, with 2024 revenues hitting 10 billion SEK.
Magnus Kagevik, Lantmännen’s Group President and CEO, remarked on the natural fit of the acquisition: “Over the past 25 years, Swecon has evolved into a profitable and successful part of Lantmännen’s business portfolio. Volvo CE has expressed a strong wish to get closer to the customer, and their initiative to acquire Swecon is testament to the value that has been built within the business. Volvo CE represents a natural new home for the business, offering strong conditions for continued growth and development.”
The transfer isn’t merely transactional—it’s an evolution grounded in shared vision and operational synergy.
What the Deal Means for Europe’s Equipment Landscape
This acquisition is a game-changer for Volvo CE in several ways:
- Enhanced Market Presence: By taking direct control of Swecon, Volvo CE strengthens its foothold in Europe’s most pivotal markets.
- Operational Streamlining: Managing retail internally could lead to improved efficiency, reduced redundancies, and quicker feedback loops from customers.
- Innovation Acceleration: Closer ties to customers offer insights that fuel smarter R&D and more targeted solutions.
In essence, this isn’t just about owning more; it’s about knowing more, serving better, and innovating faster.
The Aftermarket Specialist
Entrack, though operating under Swecon, brings its own flavour to the deal. Specialising in aftermarket components and services, Entrack has built a reputation for reliability and regional adaptability. With operations in countries like Poland, Finland and Italy, Entrack expands Volvo CE’s post-sale reach and complements its holistic customer support strategy.
This addition strengthens Volvo CE’s aftermarket capabilities—a sector that’s gaining increasing importance as fleets become more connected and predictive maintenance becomes a cost-saving necessity.
What to Expect Post-Acquisition
Should regulators give the green light, the real work begins. Integrating teams, aligning customer service strategies, and synchronising digital tools will take time, but the groundwork is solid.
For Volvo CE, the acquisition is a chance to rewrite the European playbook—one that fuses traditional equipment sales with high-touch, data-driven, post-sale support. And for the market, it’s a signal that the big players are rethinking the way value is delivered across the equipment lifecycle.
This is more than consolidation. It’s a repositioning for the future of construction.
Stronger Together
The Volvo CE-Swecon story is one of aligned interests, mutual growth and a shared vision of what modern equipment retail should look like. With a customer-first mindset and a focus on operational excellence, the partnership is poised to push boundaries.
The coming years will reveal just how transformative this acquisition becomes, but the direction is clear: a more connected, customer-oriented, and strategically grounded Volvo CE presence across Europe.
