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

  • HCME's new parts depot
    February 17, 2012
    The new Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe)/HCME European Parts Depot has been officially opened. At the Oosterhout facility, southern Netherlands, the guest of honour was Hitachi Construction Machinery president Michijiro Kikawa, who gave a speech to other guests at the ceremony, among them Mitsuhiro Tabei, president of HCME. He then presented representatives from the parts depot with a special Japanese maple tree, which was planted in front of the building.
  • HCME's new parts depot
    February 17, 2012
    The new Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe)/HCME European Parts Depot has been officially opened. At the Oosterhout facility, southern Netherlands, the guest of honour was Hitachi Construction Machinery president Michijiro Kikawa, who gave a speech to other guests at the ceremony, among them Mitsuhiro Tabei, president of HCME. He then presented representatives from the parts depot with a special Japanese maple tree, which was planted in front of the building. In his address, Mr Kikawa emphasised the imp
  • Wacker Neuson sees strong future for sales
    April 24, 2018
    Wacker Neuson is seeing strong financial performance as demand for construction machines continues to improve. While expanding production worldwide, the company is also making a strong investment in research and development, for refining products and designing new models. CEO Martin Lehner said: “We want to focus on innovation. This is what drives us forward. There are two main points for us on products, one is zero emissions and another is on digitalisation.” The company has been heavily reliant on the
  • Volvo CE president unveils emissions technology and product development programme
    January 6, 2017
    Volvo Construction Equipment president Pat Olney has unveiled the low-emissions technology used in the company’s forthcoming Stage IV/Tier 4 Final-compliant machines. He also detailed the progress of investments in Europe and other international markets and announced the extensive development pipeline that will see a radically updated product range launched over the next two years.