Hitachi: new European parts centre

Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe)/(HCME) has said that it is increasing its focus on the supply of spare parts with the opening of a new European parts centre in April 2011. This represents a significant investment of €e12million in the 53,000m2 facility (22,000m2 covered), formerly owned by the car manufacturer Citroën and located in the city of Oosterhout in the south of The Netherlands. HCME's existing 7,600m2 European parts centre is also situated in Oosterhout, but the move to the new complex wil
February 8, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
233 Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe)/(HCME) has said that it is increasing its focus on the supply of spare parts with the opening of a new European parts centre in April 2011.

This represents a significant investment of €e12million in the 53,000m2 facility (22,000m2 covered), formerly owned by the car manufacturer Citroën and located in the city of Oosterhout in the south of The Netherlands.

HCME's existing 7,600m2 European parts centre is also situated in Oosterhout, but the move to the new complex will help to enhance the Hitachi support chain after-sales programme. The supply of Hitachi genuine parts is a key link in the 'chain of service' provided by HCME to protect its customers' investment in Hitachi construction machinery.

The new state-of-the-art centre will have the capacity to stock over 90,000 individual parts line items for onward distribution to authorised Hitachi dealers and customers throughout Europe, Middle East, Russia/CIS and Africa. This includes a special chemical storage area for Hitachi lubricants and a 14m high storage facility for larger items.

The warehouse activities will be supported by a dedicated warehouse management system, which will guide the warehouse operatives in unpacking received parts, storage, picking, packing and shipping. This system will enable more than 70 employees (42 in the warehouse) to handle up to 800 packages each day and 70,000 parts line items every month.

The overall aims of this strategic development are to meet the requirements of the Japanese manufacturer's expanding customer base and increase sales in this important sector of the construction industry.

"HCME is delighted that it has secured such an impressive new facility for its European parts operation. The collective goals are to increase the efficiency of the warehouse operation, to improve the storage and handling processes and to offer an enhanced level of service to Hitachi dealers and customers," says HCME parts general manager, Hiromasa Moriwaki.

"With parts availability increased up to 95%, this will also have a positive impact on HCME's business operations and reinforce its 'reliable solutions' corporate slogan."
Engines, Components & Tyres

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Family company chooses Hitachi
    February 13, 2012
    Danish contractor Holbøll & Sønner has recently bought more construction machinery from Hitachi, having bought its first excavator from the company more than 25 years ago.
    Read More
  • Growth in a versatile workforce
    July 19, 2012
    Some of the biggest names in the construction industry have released innovative new utility machines and equipment in the first few months of 2012. Guy Woodford looks at some of the latest models To mark the 25th anniversary of the Bobcat compact excavaor range, the Doosan-owned company recently unveiled a new limited edition version of the Bobcat E16. The special 1.6 tonne model is said by the company to provide an attractive complement to the also new and enhanced versions of both the E16 and 1.4tonne E1
    Read More
  • Innovative, flexible bridge formwork systems
    February 14, 2012
    Innovative formwork systems have been used to construct a variety of bridge structures. Patrick Smith reports. As part of the work on Germany's new A4 autobahn near Eisenach, the contracting joint venture awarded the formwork contract for two of the three viaducts to Doka. What makes this assignment so special to the company is that although the two steel composite bridges each have very different cross-sections, the JV is using the same overslung composite forming carriage to pour the carriageway slabs of
    Read More
  • Volvo CE US$100 million Americas expansion
    March 22, 2013
    Volvo Construction Equipment president Pal Olney stressed the long-term importance to the company of the North American market while formally recognising the industry giant’s US$100 million expansion programme at its Shippensburg, Pennsylvania facility. Olney cut the ribbon to officially open Volvo CE’s new Americas’ headquarters building. The event also saw the unveiling of the first wheeled loader to roll off the Shippensburg site’s cutting edge assembly line. On the significance of the two big landmarks,
    Read More

Highlighted Content