Having posted a 111% increase in like-for-like sales in the first quarter of the year, President and CEO of Volvo Construction Equipment Pat Olney has reiterated his company’s belief in a North American recovery that could see demand jump by up to a quarter during 2012.

While the world’s best sailors endure a 9 month, 39,000 nautical mile journey across the planet’s most treacherous oceans – Volvo Construction Equipment will use the race’s Miami stopover to strengthen the Volvo brand with existing customers and develop relationships with new customers.

On May 4, Volvo Construction Equipment broke ground on the first phase of the 100 MUSD expansion of its site in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. The first phase includes construction of a new America’s headquarters office. Incorporating the latest environmental building practices, the expansion is a visible sign of the company’s commitment to the important North American market.

Volvo CE reported record sales and profitability in Q1, 2012, with sales up 17% and higher than ever operating income and operating margin for a first quarter.

The leading construction equipment manufacturer joins hundreds of millions of people around the world who are willing to turn off their lights for one hour on March 31st.