Michael Perkins (Volvo Car US Operations) and Vincent Halma (KION North America) sign the agreement.

KION North America has announced an agreement with Volvo Car US Operations to provide materials handling equipment for the automotive manufacturer's first American factory located in Berkeley County, South Carolina.
 
With this agreement, Volvo Car US Operations will be the first automotive manufacturer to use a fleet made up largely of lithium-ion battery-powered equipment. The fleet will include forklifts, reach trucks and very narrow aisle (VNA) trucks, all provided and serviced by KION North America.
 
"This agreement is monumental," says Mike Gore, vice president of sales at KION North America. "Not only are two global premium manufacturers teaming up, but, more importantly, two South Carolina businesses, further validating the state's position as a manufacturing giant."
 
Headquartered in Summerville, KION North America is located just 5 mi. (8 km) from the new Volvo Car factory, which will be the global production home of the all-new S60 sedan. Equipped with the most innovative and efficient materials handling equipment on the market, the factory will be capable of producing up to 100,000 cars per year.
 
The economic impact of both companies will have lasting effects, both locally and nationally. Volvo Car US Operations estimates that the factory will employ up to 2,000 people over the next decade and up to 4,000 people in the longer term. Following a USD3 million facility expansion in 2016, KION North America will increase its production capacity from 3,000 units per year in 2015 to 12,000 units by 2020. As a result, the company estimates it will add 50 jobs in the next three to five years.