Donations by Volvo Benefit Students at Penn College

Students in Pennsylvania College of Technology's diesel technology and heavy equipment technology majors will benefit from recent donations made by Volvo Construction Equipment North America Inc.

The Asheville, N.C.-based company recently donated a new BL70 backhoe loader that will be used to help train students in Penn College's heavy equipment technology associate-degree major. Volvo also donated hydraulic cylinders, loader axles and Prosis parts and service manual software that will be used by students in the diesel technology associate-degree major.

Wayne R. Longbrake, dean of natural resources management, said two companies were instrumental in bringing together Volvo and Penn College: Highway Equipment and Supply Co. of Drums (Volvo Construction Equipment North America Inc.'s regional dealer) and American Infrastructure/Allen A. Myers Inc., a Worcester-based construction firm.

Volvo is one of the world's largest producers of trucks, buses and construction equipment and holds a leading position in the fields of marine and industrial power systems and aircraft engine components. The Volvo Construction Equipment plant in Asheville, N.C., has been producing construction equipment since 1977. The company manufactures wheel loaders and skid steer loaders at the Asheville facility and manufactures motor graders in Goderich, Ontario, Canada.

Highway Equipment and Supply Co. has been providing quality construction equipment and product support since its founding in 1944. American Infrastructure, established in 1939 as Allen A. Myers and Sons, is a heavy-civil-construction company and materials supplier with operating units in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.

"We're proud of our ongoing relationship with Highway Equipment and Supply Co. and American Infrastructure," Longbrake said. "I'm looking forward to further building this new relationship with Volvo. It's rewarding to know that this company, which is recognized throughout the world, sees the strength of our programs and has taken steps that will certainly benefit our students."

David Loveland, training manager for Volvo Construction Equipment North America Inc., said the company is proud to be associated with Penn College "and the quality educational programs that they offer to the region."

"We look forward to focusing our efforts to assist in the need to increase the heavy equipment technician workforce," Loveland said. "Looking over the next five years, the demand for qualified service technicians will increase dramatically. We welcome this partnership of Penn College, Volvo Construction Equipment North America Inc., the Volvo dealer network and customer base with open arms and look forward to assisting all parties to fill this critical demand."

For more information about heavy equipment technology and diesel technology majors at Penn College, call the School of Natural Resources Management at (570) 320-8038, send e-mail or visit online .