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

  • Manitowoc president sets out company strategy for Chinese market success
    January 6, 2017
    Manitowoc has released details of its strategy for capturing a greater share of crane sales in the crucial Chinese market. The American firm offers four brands in China: Grove mobile hydraulic cranes, Manitowoc high capacity crawler cranes, Potain tower cranes, and Dongyue truck cranes. It believes that continuing to import its latest cranes to meet local customer needs, while expanding its product and development team, increasing the speed of local sourcing of components, enlarging distribution networks i
  • Manitowoc president sets out company strategy for Chinese market success
    November 29, 2012
    Manitowoc has released details of its strategy for capturing a greater share of crane sales in the crucial Chinese market. The American firm offers four brands in China: Grove mobile hydraulic cranes, Manitowoc high capacity crawler cranes, Potain tower cranes, and Dongyue truck cranes. It believes that continuing to import its latest cranes to meet local customer needs, while expanding its product and development team, increasing the speed of local sourcing of components, enlarging distribution networks i
  • Case demonstrates machines in Tunisia
    February 13, 2017
    CASE Construction Equipment recently carried out a major demonstration event for its construction machines in Tunisia. The event focused on the firm’s road building equipment, highlighting how the units perform, even in extreme conditions The planned large-scale projects for the development of Tunisia’s road infrastructure will require highly productive and reliable equipment to meet the country’s objectives. CASE is keen to develop a share of this market, running the event in a bid to grow its marke
  • Wacker Neuson record slight revenue drop in Q1 2013
    May 22, 2013
    The Wacker Neuson Group reported a slight drop in revenue and earnings for the first quarter of 2013 compared to the same three months of last year. The German construction equipment manufacturer says that a weak European economy was one of the main factors that dampened demand for light and compact construction equipment in Q1 2013. In addition, the Group’s strong performance in first quarter of 2012 is said to have resulted in an above-average baseline for comparison. At US$331.26 million (€257.1mn), Grou