Volvo started as a ball bearing company in 1915, but was discontinued in 1919 and lay dormant until revived in December 1925, when two employees -- engineer Gustav Larson and salesman Assar Gabrielsson -- proposed to the board of SKF, which owned Volvo, that they expand into manufacturing automobiles,
In December 1925: Gabrielsson and Larson formalize their verbal agreement to start "large scale car manufacture" by January 1, 1928.
The two men ran a tight-fisted company, insisting that they be informed of everything that was going on in the company.
They sat opposite each other at a large desk. their office door was always open. Well into the late 1940s, they answered their own phones and had no secretaries.
The two men couldn't have been more different. They often disagreed, But they did share a common vision and commitment to developing a Swedish car company.
The two men later said they began discussing their joint venture in August 1924.
The plan was for a plant that would turn out 4,000 cars annually. They would design, manufacture, and assemble the vehicles under one roof.
Larson wanted quality control at his plant, so he decided that all parts in a Volvo would be designed at Volvo and then made by contracted suppliers.
As part of any deal, Volvo would also be allowed to inspect any supplier at any time.
Thus began the reputation for safety, durability, and quality that has always been Volvo's hallmark.
S361
For Licensing:
Global ImageWorks, LLC.,
65 Beacon Street
Haworth, New Jersey 07641
info@globalimageworks.com
telephone: 201-384-7715
fax: 201-501-8971
