Asheville, NC — Volvo Construction Equipment North America is pleased to announce Volvo dealers Aring Equipment Company, ROMCO Equipment Company, Strongco, and The G.W. Van Keppel Company, along with Volvo Construction & Equipment Services (VCES) are 2011 Regional Rally sponsors of the AEM Construction Challenge on January 15, 2011. Volvo is the exclusive, official presenting sponsor of the AEM Construction Challenge competition through 2014.
“We are very excited that sponsors such as these Volvo dealers and stores are taking part in this opportunity to educate and engage young people in construction careers,” said AEM president Dennis Slater.
The sponsorship through these Volvo dealers connects people working in the industry today with student participants to reinforce real world experiences and inspire them to explore and pursue careers in the construction industry. Although the construction industry is expected to create more than one million new jobs by 2012, the industry still faces a severe shortage of qualified workers to meet future needs. Students who participate in the nationwide competition will learn about rewarding and lucrative careers in the industry, from engineering, project management, and service technical support, to sales, marketing, systems and related jobs.
Aring Equipment Company and VCES are cosponsoring the Milwaukee, Wis., regional rally competition. “Investing in people and products to provide equipment to contractors is one thing,” said Jack Hock, president of Aring Equipment. “But it takes on a whole new dimension when you consider that an investment and partnership in the youth of today is also an investment in our future as these high school students gain exposure to construction and the possibilities they have within this industry.”
ROMCO Equipment Company and VCES are cosponsoring the regional rally in Dallas, Texas. “We know that many young people don’t consider career opportunities in mature industries such as ours,” said Charlie Clarkson, president of ROMCO. “I believe it’s important for us to help them see that there are exciting and rewarding jobs available in the construction industry. The Construction Challenge is one way to do that.”
“We at Volvo believe that participation in a program like this can inspire these young people, help them prepare for careers that will benefit all of us, and develop industry leaders,” said Hugh W. Harvey, regional vice president of Volvo Construction & Equipment Services, cosponsor of the Dallas and Milwaukee Regiona Rally competitions.
The regional rally in Toronto, Ontario is sponsored by Strongco Corporation. “We’re proud to be a part of the Construction Challenge,” said Anna Sgro, vice president, Multi-Line Division of Strongco. “It’s a fun-based teambuilding program that challenges young minds while helping them to collaborate and complete difficult tasks. We know that the inspiration fostered in young people today through this program can help prepare them for careers that will benefit all of us in the future.”
The G.W. Van Keppel Company is sponsor of the Enid, Okla., regional rally competition. “We are extremely grateful to those who came before us and laid the foundation for our future success,” said Bill Walker, president and chairman of the board of Van Keppel. “We are proud to be able to help build and support a possible foundation and show an optimistic future within the construction industry to the students involved in this competition.”
About AEM Construction Challenge
The Construction Challenge sponsored by Volvo Construction Equipment is a joint effort by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and Destination ImagiNation (DI). The Construction Challenge offers a chance for students, teachers, parents and community leaders to learn more about the relationship between construction, infrastructure and quality of life. The Challenge also draws attention to the industry’s need for skilled employees to tackle infrastructure problems such as crumbling bridges, overcrowded roadways and aging water and wastewater systems.
During the regional rally competitions, high school teams compete and solve transportation and water infrastructure challenges using creativity, teamwork and problem solving. The students involved will have the unique opportunity to learn about interesting careers, meet potential employers, gain new skills and have fun throughout the challenge. Teams of five to seven participants will compete for a chance to be one of the top 24 teams to advance to the championship finals at CONEXPO/CON-AGG in Las Vegas in March 2011.
About Aring Equipment Company
For over 70 years Aring Equipment Company has had the pleasure and privilege of serving the construction industry. Today, Aring Equipment enjoys a strong position in the competitive Wisconsin and Northern Illinois marketplaces, representing premier construction machinery brands. The organization is structured to provide dependable technical advice on the application and use of equipment, and the best possible support in parts and service.
About ROMCO Equipment Co.
ROMCO Equipment Company is a family-owned heavy equipment dealer that is celebrating its 50th year of servicing the construction, mining and aggregate industries. ROMCO has grown to include nine branch locations that cover Texas from Red River to the Rio Grande.
About Strongco Corporation
Strongco Corporation is one of Canada’s largest multiline mobile equipment dealers. The company sells, rents and services equipment used in sectors such as construction, infrastructure, mining, oil and gas, utilities, municipalities, waste management and forestry. Over 500 employees in 26 branches service customers across Canada. Strongco represents leading equipment manufacturers with globally recognized brands.
About The G.W. Van Keppel Company
The G.W. Van Keppel Company is headquartered in Kansas City, Kan., and has locations in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma. The Construction Equipment Division of the company provides equipment sales, rentals, parts and services for earthmoving, concrete and asphalt paving, drilling, rock processing, lifting, conveying, scrap processing and forestry sectors of the economy.
About Volvo Construction & Equipment Services
Volvo Construction & Equipment Services (VCES) has been a construction equipment dealer for nearly 50 years, offering equipment, parts, service, and rental. VCES branches carry the complete line of Volvo equipment, including compact equipment, to better support their customers. What differentiates VCES from competitors is its unique combination of products, people, parts, and service.
For further information, please visit: www.volvoce.com/na.
January 13, 2011
For more information, please contact:
Beatrice Cardon
Vice President Corporate Communication
Volvo CE North America, Inc.
beatrice.cardon@volvo.com
Phone: 828-650-2183
Jean Hiller
jeanh@2rm.com
Phone: 515-557-2008
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