SODERTALJE, Sweden, Oct. 2, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Scania's (OtherOTC:SVKBF) substantially refurbished assembly unit in Zwolle, the Netherlands, will be inaugurated today. Scania has invested about EUR 35 million in increasing the production capacity of the plant by 50%, to over 150 trucks per day.
The capital was invested in two completely new assembly lines and comprehensive modernisation of the facility as a whole.
"The Zwolle truck assembly unit is of strategic importance for meeting increased demand in the future, and safeguarding our continued and profitable growth in terms of volumes. Geographically, it is favourably located close to our biggest markets in western Europe," commented Per Hallberg, Group Vice President, Production and Procurement.
"The vastly expended capacity in Zwolle, together with the concentration of component manufacture which we have implemented, means that Scania is prepared for future growth, with a production system that is both flexible and efficient," he added.
Over 300,000 trucks have been produced in Zwolle since the plant was opened in 1964. At present, the facility accounts for approximately half of Scania's global output of trucks. Other units of Scania's globally integrated truck assembly operation are located in Angers, France, Sao Paulo, Brazil and Sodertalje, Sweden. Local assembly is also carried out in about ten other countries.
The attendance at the inauguration will include Scania President and CEO Leif Ostling and other members of Scania Group management, as well as representatives of the City of Zwolle and Overijssel province.
For further information, please contact: Hans-Ake Danielsson tel. +46-8- 55 38 56 62
Scania is one of the world's leading manufacturers of trucks and buses for heavy transport applications, and of industrial and marine engines. With 28,200 employees and production facilities in Europe and Latin America, Scania is one of the most profitable companies in its sector. In 2002, turnover totalled SEK 47,000 million and the result after financial items was SEK 3,700 million. Scania products are marketed in about 100 countries worldwide and some 95 percent of Scania's vehicles are sold outside Sweden.
Scania press releases are available on the Internet, www.scania.com
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