Winnipeg mechanics to take on world at Volvo truck service competition final

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This article was published 12/07/2024 (521 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A crew of Winnipeg mechanics are headed to Sweden to show their talent on Volvo’s international stage.

“I guess proud is the biggest word,” said John Mauseth, general manager of Beaver Truck Centre. He’ll chaperone two technicians and two parts specialists/service advisers on their journey to Gothenburg in September.

Last month, the team — called the Regenerates — placed third in the Volvo International Service Training Award (VISTA) competition’s semi-finals, which were held in Texas.

Beaver Truck Centre is a Volvo semi-truck dealership near Omand’s Creek Industrial Park. It’s participated in VISTA competitions for more than a decade; Volvo has hosted the event for 57 years.

Teams compete by solving challenges related to Volvo trucks. Each year highlights the top issues of the time, according to an event organizer. Gothenburg is the headquarters for Volvo Group.

It isn’t Beaver Truck Centre’s first go-around internationally: the business took the global stage in 2018, 2021 and last year with different crews.

“We can say that we have world-class technicians and service advisers and parts people in our dealership,” Mauseth touted. “The hard work that our guys put into it, it’s nice to see it pay off.”

The competition has morphed into something more computer- and electric-based, mirroring a change in trucks, noted Scott Behe, Volvo Trucks Academy senior manager of operations.

He anticipates a challenge in Sweden to involve electric trucks.

“(It’s a) whole other ballgame that didn’t exist two cycles ago of this competition,” Behe said.

The Regenerates will partake in six challenges in Sweden, each lasting 30 minutes. The upcoming event will draw 44 teams, picked from a pool of more than 90 countries. Regina will provide the only other Canadian team this year.

Beaver Truck Centre staff have made connections through VISTA in the past; they keep in touch with Australian colleagues, Mauseth noted.

Team bonding is one reason for the event, according to Behe. It’s also a training incentive and a way for Volvo to improve its products.

Often, mechanics provide new information to the auto maker. During semi-finals, teams sit with Volvo engineers during half-hour slots and ask questions.

“It leads to changes in the designs of our trucks and stuff over time,” said Behe. “It’s good for us.”

The event is also a spotlight for workers largely flying under the radar, he continued.

“Sales sells the first truck, and service sells every truck after,” Mauseth voiced. “It is nice to see them get this recognition.”

The trip includes a private boat excursion and a tour of a Volvo plant. The Winnipeg participants are receiving swag bags worth up to $1,000 before trekking to Sweden. The international winner takes home a trophy.

Europeans have an advantage; the competition trucks are European models, not North American. However, the four North American teams will have a crash course on the Euro vehicles in Greensboro, N.C., later this month.

Last year, Beaver Truck Centre landed in the mid-20s range on the VISTA ranking list, Mauseth recalled.

Chris Dunn, a parts specialist and service adviser, has been on every Beaver Truck Centre team that’s secured a spot in Volvo’s international match. Mike Coyle, Chris Ingram and Randall Wiebe round out this year’s squad.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com