Volvo Operators Club Finals 2025
– Trophy for 2nd Place Goes to Austria!

06.10.2025

Once again in 2025, the Volvo Driver Club Austria participated with full passion at the Operators Club Finals – one of the most prestigious events for construction equipment professionals in the EMEA region.

For the first time, the team was led by Frederik Brandstätter, who took over the role from Alois Hütter and stepped into big shoes with great commitment and team spirit.

Austrian top operators on the international stage

The qualification for Sweden was already decided earlier in the year at bauma in Munich, where around 1,000 operators competed to showcase their skills. Among the best: Konrad Herndler and Othmar Pletzer – two well-known names in the Austrian Operators Club who impressed with top times and secured the coveted spots for the grand final.
The event took place at the impressive Volvo Customer Center in Eskilstuna. A total of 27 operators from across Europe and the Middle East (EMEA) faced off in a multi-stage competition.

Precision, nerves, and speed

Three challenging games awaited the competitors in the qualification round – a mix of dexterity, speed, and mental focus. Othmar Pletzer once again proved his class and confidently made it into the semifinals.
There, participants had to complete a demanding puzzle challenge using a sorting grapple against the clock – a true test of concentration and precision. Othmar mastered the task brilliantly and advanced to the top five.
Next up was a game affectionately called “Bowling”, which once again tested fine motor skills and delicate control. Othmar impressed with a steady hand and technical perfection.

Thrilling finale

The grand final featured another puzzle challenge – this time with nine pieces and a Volvo ECR58 equipped with a tiltrotator. The tension was palpable: times were no longer announced, the performance level was extremely close, and every fraction of a second counted.

In the end, it was a neck-and-neck race – with a double podium for the DACH region:
🥇 Bernhard Vogt (Germany) took the win.
🥈 Othmar Pletzer (Austria) secured second place and brought the trophy home!
🥈 Arne Brals (The Netherlands) third place

We warmly congratulate our entire team – especially Othmar Pletzer for this outstanding performance and Frederik Brandstätter for his successful debut as team leader. Once again, the Volvo Operators Club Austria has proven that it belongs among Europe’s elite!