RIDGEVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – Volvo’s Berkeley County manufacturing plant has been up and running for a while now. But how do things look on the assembly line?
Volvo invited Count on 2’s Berkeley County reporter, Raymond Owens to take an exclusive look inside the plant.
The Volvo plant in Berkeley County is now up to 50,000 vehicles per year— that’s the production capacity right now. I had a chance to take part in helping to build a few of these new cars.
Watching Volvo cars roll down the assembly line seems like something out of a movie. Last minute frame welds are done completely by robots, it even reminds you of sci-fi, but it’s real.
Close to 15,000 cars have now been produced out here. Many of the people involved are familiar with the area.
“I’ve been here a month now and I’ve had the opportunity to learn many skills that I did not have before,” said Robyn Carter who works on the Pallet Line at Volvo.
Robyn, better known as Dreece, is very familiar with the location of Volvo’s new S60 plant.
“I’m a native of Ridgeville, South Carolina. I’ve lived here 31 years and I recently moved to the Summerville area, but this is my home.”
Now she is working the assembly line, one of about 1,500 people now working out at the plant.
“I’ve also learned that the manufacturing company here uses technology that I’ve never seen before.”
These cars are changing Berkeley County’s economy, but more importantly, they are changing lives.
“It has already changed my future. As a single parent, I’ve struggled with the income to be self-sufficient and so now I am self-sufficient and I’m able to do what I need to do for me and my son,” she said.
“I love Volvo. I’m glad I’m here.”
The next generation XC 90 will be built out here as well. That production is expected to begin in 2022.
