Skip to main content

Hitachi Europe appoints new CEO & president

Makoto Yamazawa has taken over as president and CEO of Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe (HCME). Having joined Hitachi straight out of university, Yamazawa has had a long and varied career within the firm and said, “My first position was as a domestic sales rep.” The role in Europe is a challenging one as HCME sells machines into 40 countries, while its equipment ranges from small rental products right up to the large mining trucks and shovels. Yamazawa has considerable experience of Hitachi’s mining e
April 13, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
Yamazawa: new president and CEO for Europe
Makoto Yamazawa has taken over as president and CEO of 233 Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe (HCME). Having joined Hitachi straight out of university, Yamazawa has had a long and varied career within the firm and said, “My first position was as a domestic sales rep.”

The role in Europe is a challenging one as HCME sells machines into 40 countries, while its equipment ranges from small rental products right up to the large mining trucks and shovels. Yamazawa has considerable experience of Hitachi’s mining equipment range having headed up that business for 10 years. He said this is one sector he has already identified as having major potential and commented, “I think I could do something with our mining machines in Africa and the Middle East.”

However, he is also keen to build on the firm’s strong existing market share for excavators, as well as developing sales of the smaller rental machines. The firm’s financial figures are due to be released at the end of April and Yamazawa said, “I can’t disclose these now.”

During the year, Hitachi also has an intensive programme scheduled for key product launches, while the firm will build on its existing network and further develop its coverage. Yamazawa said, “In 2016 we will continue to roll out our Stage IV products and we will continue to expand our dealer network.” He added that additions to the network includes coverage for Serbia.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Hitachi appoints dealer in Latvia
    November 30, 2012
    Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) has appointed Repa SIA as its new dealer for customers in Latvia. Repa, who replace Laadur OU, was established in 1991 as a dealer for used construction equipment. The head office is located in Riga and includes a 280m² office and 600m² workshops. The company employs seven sales personnel, ten technicians and six administrative staff. A subsidiary of the MONO Group, one of the largest enterprises in Latvia, and owner of companies specialising in highway engi
  • Volvo lines up its SDLG brand for greater global export sales
    January 6, 2017
    Volvo’s Chinese manufacturing subsidiary SDLG is making inroads into the export market and could be destined to play a much more important role in the Swedish group’s global strategy. “As we grow our export strategy there is an opportunity for SDLG to become an increasingly larger piece of our total revenue,” said Martin Weissburg, president of Volvo Construction Equipment.
  • Volvo lines up its SDLG brand for greater global export sales
    April 22, 2015
    Volvo’s Chinese manufacturing subsidiary SDLG is making inroads into the export market and could be destined to play a much more important role in the Swedish group’s global strategy. “As we grow our export strategy there is an opportunity for SDLG to become an increasingly larger piece of our total revenue,” said Martin Weissburg, president of Volvo Construction Equipment.
  • Volvo lines up its SDLG brand for greater global export sales
    June 8, 2015
    No sooner had senior managers told a roomful of journalists that corporate restructuring is on track, news followed that Volvo Group’s chief executive had been replaced Olof Persson fell from his perch following pressure from shareholders' dissatisfaction over the group’s weak financial performance in recent years. Volvo group plans to appoint Scania’s head Martin Lundstedt to the role staring in October. Until then, Volvo Group’s chief financial officer Jan Gurander will be standing in. Lundstedt and G