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Editorial comment

It’s child’s play
Over the course of the last year, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has sold over one million machines. A new and game-changing partnership ensured that, even in the midst of a pandemic, the equipment manufacturer was able to release to market its biggest ever range of excavators, loaders, haulers and trucks, which were sold in almost every major toy store. Did I mention we’re talking about toy trucks here? That part is rather crucial.


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Volvo CE signed up with toymaker Dickie Toys to embark on its first venture into fully-immersive play sets for all ages. It is the company’s most comprehensive collaboration to date, featuring not only machines from Volvo CE, but Volvo Trucks and Mack Trucks too. This venture follows on the heels of successful partnerships with toymakers such as LEGO® Technic and Bruder.

Tim Birks, Merchandise and Licensing Manager at Volvo CE says: “Dickie Toys was a natural choice. We share the same core values, we are aligned in our desire for good quality products and we have always been impressed with the ‘feel-good factor’ of their toys. And it’s been comforting to know that these toys have played an important role in keeping children around the world entertained and engaged during some of the hardest months of the pandemic.”

“Children are fascinated by huge construction vehicles,” says Oliver Naumann, Managing Director of Dickie Toys. It’s comforting to know that children all over the world are drawn to play with construction vehicle toys. The oil and gas pipeline industry needs to find a way to prolong this natural enthusiasm and curiosity, so that adolescents and young adults feel equally as drawn to the sector.

Next month’s issue of World Pipelines will include an interview I recently carried out with the winners of The John Tiratsoo Award for Young Achievement, which was awarded by Young Pipeliners International, in partnership with PPIM, in February. The award recognises the achievements of pipeline professionals under the age of 35 and this year the two winners are so inspirational. Jess Tufts, Superintendent, Gray Oak Pipeline and Kaella-Marie Earle, Engineer in Training at Enbridge Gas Inc. talked about their career highlights so far, their mentors and the message they would give to other young pipeliners, or to those wondering whether the industry is right for them.

You must read the full interview in the May issue, but I can’t resist giving you a preview here. Jess said: “This industry offers an abundance of opportunities, and there’s something for everyone... I get satisfaction out of knowing that what I do every day makes a positive impact.”

Before joining Enbridge, Kaella – who is an Anishinaabekwe from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and Aroland First Nation – was an anti-pipeline and environmental activist for years. I’ll let Kaella take the floor here: “Those first few months at Enbridge changed my world. I realised oil and gas is full of many great people who share my vision of a future with low carbon emissions, championing communities, and including more people at the decision-making table.

“You won’t regret a career in pipelines. Take it from me, the former anti-pipeline and climate change/environmental activist. You can work in pipelines and still care about the land, and have a meaningful career where you can enact as much change as you want.”


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