Volvo Construction Equipment (CE) and toymaker BRIO have announced a collaboration to launch a range of wooden construction toys aimed to interest children in the field of construction machinery.

In a first-time collaboration for the toymaker with a major equipment manufacturer, the new Volvo CE-themed mini machines will be available from autumn this year and will include a wheeled loader, hauler and excavator.

Designed in close collaboration with Volvo CE to ensure they closely resemble their real-life counterparts, BRIO Builder’s range will be a construction system with the toys all sporting the iconic yellow livery of Volvo CE.

According to as statement from Volvo, the toys are aimed at children aged three and up, and this “exciting new partnership is set to inspire the very youngest generation of budding engineers, who are so often fascinated by huge construction vehicles and aligns with our purpose to build the world we want to live in”.

Arvid Rinaldo, brand partnership at Volvo CE, says: “We’re thrilled to see this partnership with BRIO come to life. This is the first time these two Scandinavian brands have collaborated, but we have forged a strong bond, united by a number of shared values, including quality, safety, a passion for exceptional design and a commitment to environmental responsibility. Thanks to a close relationship between teams across the two brands, the BRIO models have been thoughtfully created to align with Volvo CE’s brand identity.”

Volvo CE added that construction machines are popular with children thanks to their impressive size, bold colours and “the exciting and important work that they do: digging holes, lifting and transporting heavy loads and helping to build the world we live in”.

Rinaldo added: “We are always looking for ways to encourage and boost engineering talent in children and with these BRIO construction kits we’re providing a fun way to explore the world of work, practise hand-eye coordination and develop a love of design and building. With this initiative, we’re helping our youngest demographic to explore the fascinating world of construction through play.”

The Volvo CE wheeled loader, hauler and excavator are made from FSC Certified beech wood and high-quality plastic pieces and with easy-to-use tools. According to Volvo, they are also “ideal legacy pieces to be enjoyed by generations to come, thanks to the high-quality materials and durable design”.

The toys feature realistic play functions such as mechanical dumping, lifting, and hauling, similar to that seen on real-life construction machines.

“And because safety is one of Volvo CE’s core values, on top of each machine sits a battery-powered orange warning light like those found on Volvo’s On Board Weighing system,” said a statement from the company.

Dan Nordlund, product designer for BRIO Builder, explained: “The play possibilities are endless when children start building with Builder. And with these new Volvo-themed vehicles, the construction play takes on a whole new level of fun. Kids can now build their massive machines, act out a real-life inspired construction site and then reinvent and rebuild to their hearts desire.”

The BRIO Builder construction toys will be available from Autumn 2022. As part of its work with BRIO, a BRIO Builder Station will also be added to the Volvo Museum at Eskilstuna and it is here that a life size wooden replica of the wheeled loader will be housed when it is not being exhibited at other events.