VIDEO: First Volvo Penta–powered underground mining machine from MacLean Engineering is delivered in Quebec

At the Wajax Corporation head office in Toronto, Ontario, the phrase "Together we get more done" is prominently displayed on the wall. The slogan captures the customer-centric spirit built on a commitment to service and partnership spanning 168 years. 

Volvo Penta and Wajax began their distribution partnership in 1988 and have worked closely together since, with a mission to deliver Volvo Penta's dependable industrial power solutions, along with Wajax's aftermarket service and integration expertise, to a growing range of heavy-duty industrial equipment and commercial marine vessels. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to deliver full-system solutions that support long-term success.

When Wajax introduced Volvo Penta's off-road engines to MacLean Engineering, a designer and manufacturer of underground mining equipment, the joint support made the transition seamless, from testing and validation to implementation. Now, MacLean is integrating Volvo Penta's mining engines into their full equipment line-up, with the first Volvo Penta-powered machine arriving at a customer site in Quebec earlier this year.

Wajax supports Canadian success through strong brand partnerships 

Founded in 1858, Wajax has supported Canada's industrial growth. Guided by its customer-focused philosophy, the company has expanded to more than 100 branches nationwide, serving diverse sectors with integrated sales, parts, and service solutions.

Wajax's regional service presence and parts availability, combined with Volvo Penta's off-road engine technology and technical training, ensure customers have access to reliable, efficient power systems backed by responsive support. The partnership reflects the strength of Volvo Penta's closely-knit distributor network.

"What keeps us here is the customer experience and delivering solutions for our customers," says Joe Di Pede, vice president, Powertrain, Wajax. "We cover key components of engineering and OEM distribution to provide the solutions our customers demand."

"Volvo Penta and Wajax have enjoyed a partnership that spans decades," says Joel Contreras, regional sales manager, Volvo Penta. "They are very experienced with our product. Distributors like Wajax are vital to Volvo Penta because they apply local expertise and talent, while we bring global knowledge and resources to support that."

Delivering purpose-built solutions to MacLean Engineering 

The synergy between Volvo Penta and Wajax has helped customers like MacLean embrace new off-road engine technologies, such as Volvo Penta's D5 Tier 3 and Stage V mining engines.

"Mining equipment demands a certain level of safety, productivity, and emissions performance, and we find that Volvo Penta and Wajax bring that with their product," says John Botelho, product manager, MacLean Engineering. "They've proven to be strong technical partners. Their product fits well, and we've had great success with it."

Volvo Penta's mining engines complement MacLean's focus on building customized, purpose-built underground mining equipment with ample uptime, dependable performance, and lower emissions that could decrease ventilation needs and lower total cost of ownership for operators. Working closely with Wajax, MacLean integrates Volvo Penta's tailored engine systems with reliable support to maximize peace of mind for their customers.

"We're able to provide a solution that MacLean trusts will work, and that's achieved through close engineering collaboration between Wajax and Volvo Penta," says Duncan Finlayson, technical sales representative, Wajax. "Working with MacLean, we can ensure that what we're proposing as a propulsion solution is going to fit for their end user."

Supporting the Canadian market with customized solutions 

As industries like mining continue to evolve, the Volvo Penta-Wajax partnership ensures customers can stay ahead of the curve with solutions that prioritize performance, efficiency, and dedicated support with a personal touch.

"One of the very important values for Wajax is to build lasting relationships," says Yves Richard, sales manager, Wajax. "We want them to be able to reach out whenever there is a project they're looking at. We want to be the first one they call."

For Wajax and Volvo Penta, close collaboration that customers like MacLean count on is the key ingredient to deliver customized, fit-for-purpose equipment.

"Having a strong partner relationship between Volvo Penta and Wajax is important because it's a global network that supplies products across many markets," concludes Duncan. "It makes the end user more confident in ordering machines with Volvo Penta power."