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Scott Young, Head of North America for Volvo Construction Equipment, has big plans for 2025—and yes, those plans involve AI, alternative energy, and probably a few thousand megaprojects. While some construction execs are tiptoeing into the new year, Young is striding in like a crane operator who just found out lunch is on the company card.
Here’s a look at his predictions, complete with more optimism than a freshly paved highway and jokes as plentiful as roadwork delays.
2024: A-ha Moments and Hard Hats
Young says 2024 taught him that supply chains can bounce back, even after a pandemic-level gut punch. “We’re finally at more normalized supply levels,” he says, adding, “Which means we can now argue about normal problems—like why Jim borrowed the backhoe and didn’t refill the fuel tank.”
Volvo CE refreshed more than 30% of its product lineup in 2024, making it the busiest launch year ever for the company. “If we were any busier, we’d be a traffic cone in downtown New York,” jokes Young.
Scott Young Predicts 2025 Trends: Agility, Data, and Megaprojects
When asked what’s shaping Volvo CE’s 2025 strategy, Young didn’t hesitate: “Flexibility and agility are key. And by that, I don’t mean doing yoga in steel-toed boots.”
Megaprojects like data centers and energy infrastructure are at the forefront. “These aren’t your run-of-the-mill construction sites,” Young explains. “We’re talking projects so big they make the pyramids look like a weekend DIY job.”
Volvo CE’s strategy? Be the cool kid in construction equipment. “We’ve got the tech, the sustainability goals, and the swagger,” Young says. “Basically, if megaprojects were prom, we’d already be crowned king and queen.”
AI: Your New Best Friend (Unless You’re a Spreadsheet)
Volvo CE is all-in on AI, but not in a dystopian robot-takeover kind of way. “AI helps us analyze performance data, forecast needs, and make life easier for everyone,” Young explains. “Well, everyone except spreadsheets. They’re officially unemployed.”
One big advantage? AI frees up time. “Now, instead of crunching numbers, we can focus on what really matters—like figuring out who stole the last donut from the break room.”
The Electric and Hydrogen Buffet
Volvo CE is diving deeper into alternative energy, but Young stresses it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. “Sustainable power is like a buffet—some customers want electric, some want hydrogen, and some just want to know where the dessert section is.”
Young says incentives and regulations are driving interest, but there’s still a lot of education to be done. “People are curious,” he says. “They’re asking questions like, ‘Will an electric excavator hum like my Prius?’ and ‘Can I charge it with my phone charger?’”
Dealers: The Heroes We Need
Scott Young Predicts 2025: Volvo CE’s dealers are facing challenges post-pandemic, and Young is ready to help. “Finding capital and meeting customer demands is tough,” he says. “But we’re here to make their lives easier. We’re like the fairy godmother of construction—minus the wand and sparkly dress. Okay, maybe just the wand.”
The company is working on programs to support dealers and improve customer experience. “Whether you own one machine or a fleet, we’re here for you,” Young says. “And if you can’t decide between a crawler excavator and a wheeled excavator, we’ll even flip a coin for you.”
Tariffs: The Elephant in the Jobsite
When it comes to potential tariffs on Chinese goods, Young plays it cool. “It’s too early to speculate,” he says. “But let’s be real—tariffs are like construction delays. No one wants them, but we’ve all learned to live with them.”
The Volvo CE Motto: Bring It On
Looking ahead, Young is confident 2025 will be a big year for Volvo CE. “We’re ready for anything—megaprojects, market shifts, AI, tariffs, you name it,” he says. “If it’s thrown our way, we’ll handle it. We’re like a skid steer in a mud pit—unstoppable.”
Final Thoughts: Work Hard, Laugh Harder
Do you think Scott Young is like a Jedi/ fortune teller? As Scott Young leads Volvo CE into 2025, one thing is clear: he’s optimistic, strategic, and not afraid to crack a joke or two. “Construction is serious business, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun,” he says. “After all, life’s too short to operate boring equipment.”
(Editor’s Note: Scott Young has been in the construction industry for over 23 years, which is approximately 23 years longer than it took him to realize wearing a hard hat backward doesn’t make you look cooler. He currently oversees Volvo CE operations in North America and occasionally moonlights as a dad joke enthusiast.)
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