March 11th saw the five best parts and service teams from across the world descend upon Volvo’s spiritual home of Eskilstuna, Sweden, to battle it out to establish the outright winner of The Masters Competition. The global competition recognizes teams of parts and service technicians from across Volvo Construction Equipment’s global network. The competition rewards the ability to provide outstanding support and service which is at the heart of Volvo CE’s commitment to the customer.
The winning team comes from the dealer Kuiken N.V. in the Netherlands. The three man team comprised Gido Bennink, Frans van Boxmeer, Jos Houben and was lead by Harco Christiaens.
The competition has been run since 1990 and this years’ event included more than 1,700 technicians from North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and other international countries. The five teams who qualified for the final were given a number of practical and theoretical tasks related to the different product families; wheel loaders, excavators, articulated haulers, motor graders and compact equipment. In one additional station the teams’ skills in the electric & hydraulic field was tested. Teams were also judged on a scale of performance where not only their technical skills were valued, but also their correct handling of tools, and their behavior in relation to Volvo’s core values of Quality, Safety & Environmental Care.
President of Volvo CE Customer Support, Tomas Kuta states: “The aim of the Masters Competition is to improve skills and to maintain a high job quality level. This sort of event not only increases the knowledge and skill levels throughout our entire global network – its ultimate benefit is a better customer experience.”
Better together
Up until 1996, it was an individual competition where only service technicians participated. In 1998, it became a team competition and, in 2000, a parts person also became a member of the team. Through competitions at dealer level and market level, teams progress to a regional final. Regional winners, i.e. North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, and other international countries compete in the world finals.
The results of the final were as follows:
1. Region Europe: Team the Netherlands, Dealer Kuiken N.V.; Gido Bennink, Frans van Boxmeer, Jos Houben
2. Region North America: Dealer: ASC Construction Equipment USA; Scotty Cox, Chuck Marcella, Stephen Stewart. Region North America won this competition in 2000 and 2005, taking second place in 2007 and 2009.
3. Region Asia: Team China, Dealer: Zhejiang Liyang Machinery Co. Ltd.; Shen Liang, Gu ShengJun, Wang WeiZhong
Joint 4th position: Region Latin America: Team Costa Rica, Dealer: Maquinaria Agricola de Costa Rica S.A.; Gerardo Calvo, Hernán Porras, Sergio Meseguer & Region International: Team New Zealand, Dealer: Titan Plant Services Ltd.; Robert Baucke, Dominick Arnold, Ross Wood
For more information on Volvo Construction Equipment’s Masters competition visit www.volvoce.com/masters.