Volvo, Mack celebrate decades of remanufacturing

Volvo Group and its Mack Trucks division are celebrating multiple decades in the remanufacturing of parts and components. Volvo Group launched its remanufacturing program 80 years ago, producing its first renovated gearboxes in Köping, Sweden, in 1945. Mack Trucks’ REMACK remanufacturing division was launched in 1975 in Lewisberry, Penn.

The Volvo Group marks 80 years of remanufacturing components for brands including Volvo Trucks, Mack Trucks, Volvo Penta, Volvo Construction Equipment, Volvo Bus and Prevost. (Photo: Volvo Group)

Today, Volvo remanufactured product inventories for on-road, off-road and marine applications cover more than a dozen key categories including engines, transmissions, coolant pumps, cylinder heads and turbochargers. In North America, remanufactured products are available for Volvo Trucks, Mack Trucks, Volvo Penta, Volvo Construction Equipment, Volvo Buses and Prevost.

“Remanufacturing is a cornerstone of the Volvo Group’s sustainability journey and has been since the first renovated gearboxes were produced in 1945,” said Stephen Roy, chairman, Volvo Group North America. “Not only does this initiative play a significant role in reducing our environmental impact by minimizing waste, but it also supports our customers by providing reliable Volvo-quality parts at a lower cost.”

Each remanufactured component undergoes a stringent inspection, evaluation and remanufacturing process to ensure it meets exacting specifications, the company stated. This includes electromagnetic crack detection, precision machining, expert recovery and welding techniques, calibration with certified gauges and dynamic testing, all completed by certified technicians. In addition, each component comes with a 100% warranty on parts and contingent damage.

Volvo Group’s remanufacturing program is supported in North America by REMACK operations in Middletown, Penn., and Charlotte, N.C. The Middletown Remanufacturing Center (MRC) relocated to its current 75,000-sq.-ft. facility in 1980. In 2009, REMACK expanded its operations with the second facility in Charlotte, N.C., to support growing demand for remanufactured products.

In its 50-year history, REMACK has remanufactured millions of components. (Photo: Mack Trucks)

Over its 50-year history, REMACK has remanufactured millions of components, Mack Trucks stated, transforming used cores into like-new parts that deliver the same reliability and performance as those that are new at substantial cost savings for customers. Its remanufacturing process encompasses more than 25 different product lines, from engines and transmissions to coolant pumps and NOx sensors.

Each component undergoes rigorous inspection, cleaning, remanufacturing and testing using more than 1,800 precision gauges calibrated to National Institute of Standards and Technology criteria.

“What sets REMACK apart is our philosophy of keeping matched component sets together throughout the remanufacturing process,” said Richard Simons, senior vice president of aftermarket solutions, uptime and customer support at Mack Trucks. “These parts have been machined together originally and maintaining that synergy ensures optimal fit and performance while reducing waste. When replacement is necessary, we use 100% new pure Mack parts, including all bearings, seals and gaskets.

“By remanufacturing components to exacting Mack specifications, we’re providing our customers with cost-effective solutions,” he continued, “while also making a meaningful contribution to sustainability by keeping valuable materials in productive use.”