June 13, 2025 Volvo Penta, Blue Star Power Custom Solutions

Strategic partnership delivers custom power systems designed to help customers boost efficiency and reduce emissions. 

By collaborating with industry leaders like Volvo Penta, Blue Star Power Systems thrives in its mission to deliver high-quality, tailored power generation solutions for applications across the U.S. and Canada. Through a partnership spanning more than 13 years, the two companies have combined their shared values rooted in trust, innovation and reliability to set new standards for performance and efficiency. 

Custom solutions that stand out 

In an industry where standardized, off-the-shelf products dominate, Blue Star stands apart by taking a customer-first approach. The company specializes in crafting power systems tailored to meet the unique requirements of each client. 

“Pretty much everyone else brings the product they want to market, and you’re supposed to like it,” said Scott Johnson, sales manager at Blue Star. “We take the opposite approach, asking customers what they want and need.” 

Meeting this demand for customization requires premium, reliable power solutions – something Blue Star consistently finds in its partnership with Volvo Penta. The company integrates Volvo Penta’s full range of industrial engines into its portfolio for prime, standby and mobile power applications. These versatile, high-performance solutions have been a critical driver of Blue Star’s growth and its ability to forge lasting relationships with customers.  

“Volvo Penta provides us with a dependable, quality product,” said Jim Kirtz, engineering manager at Blue Star. “The fact that they customize works really well for us and our customers are always happy with the small footprint and large horsepower density they offer.”  

Evolving through efficiency 

Rooted in its foundational focus on customization and reliability, the partnership between Blue Star and Volvo Penta continues to evolve, especially as efficiency has become a top priority across industries. Blue Star has been instrumental in helping customers achieve their environmental goals by leveraging Volvo Penta’s advancements in fuel efficiency and emissions reduction.  

“A great example of that would be the mobile generator market where we supply our Tier 4 Final solutions to Blue Star,” said Darren Tasker, vice president of industrial sales at Volvo Penta. “This was a new segment for both organizations, and it has proven to be extremely successful.”  

The increasing demand for Tier 4 Final solutions reflects a larger industry focus on reducing emissions while maintaining high performance. Blue Star relies on Volvo Penta’s robust and dependable engines to help customers balance environmental and operational priorities. 

“Volvo Penta has the best solution for Tier 4 Final with the most robust and simplest system,” said Johnson. “Simple is very important.”  

The collaboration took another step forward when Volvo Penta’s highly fuel-efficient D17 genset engine launched in the North American market in early 2024. Blue Star was the first to take delivery of the D17 to its headquarters in North Mankato, Minnesota. The engine’s cutting-edge combustion technology and modernized fuel-injection system, featuring a common-rail design, delivers reduced emissions and exceptional fuel efficiency to provide even greater value to customers. 

Partnership propels progress 

As the demand for more efficient power solutions expands, the collaboration between Blue Star and Volvo Penta serves as a blueprint for success – combining technical expertise, a customer-centric approach and dedication in shaping a transition to a more sustainable future. The companies’ shared commitment transforms what might otherwise be a traditional business relationship into something more meaningful. 

“It makes it easier when it’s less of a business relationship and more like a partnership or friendship,” said Angie Coonrod, procurement director at Blue Star. 

While continuing to leverage this powerful partnership, Blue Star is poised to meet the evolving needs of its customers and their business while staying at the forefront of industry innovation.   

“Over the years, we have procured over 2,000 Volvo Penta engines,” said Coonrod. “We are confident that number will grow significantly in the next few years.”  

About the Author:
Darren Tasker is vice president of industrial sales at Volvo Penta, where he oversees the company’s development in power generation and off-road versatile equipment segments within North and Central America and the Caribbean.

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