In 1998, Volvo CE expanded its excavator business and established an Asian industrial footprint through the acquisition of Samsung’s Construction Equipment Division in Korea. Following this acquisition, Volvo added more than 180 years of industrial experience and Åkerman's long-running legacy in European excavator design. This was combined with a strong focus on quality, safety and fuel efficiency and so began the development of a new generation of excavators. Volvo also invested heavily into the Korean manufacturing plant in Changwon, harmonising it with the company’s global standards. The first two Volvo models from the facility, the EC210 and EC240, were launched in 1999 and the Volvo hallmarks of quality, safety, productivity and fuel efficiency were immediately apparent.