Celebrating women in construction on International Women's Day 2025

Nunnapin Petcharapirat’s vision for inclusivity in construction

As CEO of CHAIRATCHAKARN (CHAB), Volvo CE’s newly appointed dealer for Thailand, Nunnapin Petcharapirat (Nan) is a second-generation leader in a family business that has long championed gender inclusivity. She grew up surrounded by construction equipment and machinery, developing a deep understanding of the industry through hands-on exposure in the office and on-site.

Women play a significant role at CHAB, comprising over half of the company’s 1,000+ employees. Many women hold leadership positions, including the Vice President of Sales and Service. CHAB fosters a culture of gender equality, ensuring women have the same opportunities as men to grow and succeed through recruitment, training, and career development programs.

While technical roles such as mechanics and field technicians are still primarily occupied by men, women at CHAB thrive in sales, service, and leadership positions. Indeed, the company’s top-performing sales professionals across multiple divisions, are women.

Reflecting on her journey, Nan acknowledges the challenges of earning respect as a young female leader in a traditionally male-dominated industry. However, she overcame scepticism through hard work, continuous learning, and resilience. She believes success in the construction sector is determined not by gender, but by one’s ability to adapt, learn, and lead effectively.

“My advice for women considering a career in construction is to ignore stereotypes and biases and refuse to let societal expectations define your path. Through continuous learning, women can develop confidence and establish credibility. If you work hard and build strong relationships, then you’ll see that success will come from dedication and teamwork.”

Mihoko Hotaka: From dump truck driver to construction equipment operator

Mihoko Hotaka transitioned from being a dump truck driver to a construction equipment operator out of pure passion for heavy machinery. Now in her sixth year at Volvo CE’s customer in Japan, Matsuzaki Jyuki, Mihoko has honed her skills in operating cutting-edge construction machinery.

As a single mother, Mihoko faced unique challenges balancing work and family life. The company’s adoption of cutting-edge machinery allowed her to adapt quickly, ensuring efficiency and safety on-site while also providing flexibility for unexpected situations, such as taking care of her child. However, Mihoko quickly realised that true mastery of construction equipment requires continuous learning and dedication beyond just using advanced tools. She is determined to perfect her craft and inspire more women to pursue careers in the industry.

“If I can be a construction equipment operator, I want other women to try it too. I’ll be the pioneer, so please follow me!” Mihoko says.

Pushing technical boundaries: Myungwon Choi’s journey to expertise

Like Nan and Mihoko, another inspirational woman in the construction industry, Myungwon Choi, has made waves as a product technician at Volvo CE in Korea. Her journey began with a childhood dream of working in vehicle maintenance, fuelled by her fascination with how large machinery operates. She started as a construction equipment safety inspector before transitioning into a technical role, driven by a desire to diagnose and solve complex equipment issues, rather than just conducting visual inspections.

One of the biggest challenges Myungwon faced was gender bias, and she encountered obstacles that could have discouraged many. However, she overcame these barriers by continuously building her knowledge, earning certifications, and gaining hands-on experience through training programs, including those offered by Volvo CE. Additionally, she focuses on effective communication, learning the specific technical jargon used on job sites to establish credibility and build rapport with her colleagues. Her training with Volvo CE also helped her bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring she can provide valuable technical support on-site. “My most rewarding achievement has been gaining independence in my role, expanding my responsibilities, and making meaningful contributions to equipment quality improvements. I envision a future where gender no longer dictates one’s capabilities in the construction sector and I hope to mentor other women who aspire to follow the same path,” she says.

The future of women in construction equipment

Nunnapin Petcharapirat, Mihoko Hotaka, and Myungwon Choi exemplify the changing landscape of the construction equipment industry. With increasing opportunities and recognition, women are proving that expertise, dedication, and innovation transcend gender.