Hitachi restructuring its European factories

Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) intends to reorganise its European manufacturing operations. The firm has two factories in Oosterhout and Amsterdam and is making the change in a bid to boost both efficiency and competitiveness, with this move planned to be complete by April 2018. The current Oosterhout factory is to focus its entire operation on mini and compact excavators, ranging from 1-8tonnes. Hitachi says that its market share in this segment has risen significantly in recent years
March 14, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Hitachi is reorganising its European manufacturing operations in a bid to boost capacity
233 Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (1139 HCME) intends to reorganise its European manufacturing operations. The firm has two factories in Oosterhout and Amsterdam and is making the change in a bid to boost both efficiency and competitiveness, with this move planned to be complete by April 2018.

The current Oosterhout factory is to focus its entire operation on mini and compact excavators, ranging from 1-8tonnes. Hitachi says that its market share in this segment has risen significantly in recent years and the move will help to meet growing demand by increasing production by more than 50%.

Hitachi will also set up a new distribution centre, which together with the Oosterhout factory will serve as a hub for the delivery of mini and compact excavators. Customers will benefit from considerably shorter delivery times.

Hitachi has made several investments in the Oosterhout factory in recent years, which have vastly improved its overall efficiency and quality standards.

In line with the restructure, production of the ZX85 excavator will move from the Amsterdam factory to Oosterhout. Assembly of Hitachi’s special application machines (including demolition, super long front and clamshell telescopic arm excavators) will move to the Amsterdam factory from Oosterhout later this year. HCME is confident that there will be no compulsory redundancies and any permanent staff affected by the restructure will be redeployed elsewhere within the company.

HCME Director Production and Procurement, Kazutoshi Yoshioka said, “The main objective of the factory restructure is to increase production efficiency and performance in response to growing demand. This is one of the many steps we are taking as a world-leading construction machinery supplier that continuously strives to meet its customers’ needs. I am confident that our competitive position in the market will be enhanced as a result, so that we can continue to be relied upon as a trusted business partner by our customers.”
Finance & Funding

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Loading and hauling machine improvements will boost quarry production
    July 4, 2014
    Major advances are being seen in the market for loading and hauling machines, with manufacturers developing new solutions for the quarry segment in particular- Mike Woof writes Wheeled loaders and rigid chassis dump trucks are key movers in many quarry operations. New develop-ments have seen the introduction of several new models from key players.
    Read More
  • Astec developing European facility
    May 2, 2012
    Astec Industries is setting up Astec Mobile Machinery, which will be based at Hameln in Germany. The new facility will help the firm's international growth, particularly in Eastern Europe and Russia where the firm already has a strong sales presence and where road construction is strong at present.
    Read More
  • Asphalt paving developments
    March 13, 2012
    US and European asphalt paving needs are different, but some firms are bridging that gap, reports Mike Woof. With a clear differentiation between the US and European asphalt paving markets, manufacturers from the latter are now developing machines aimed at the former. The US and European markets for paving machines have developed along very different lines. North American pavers are designed for high throughputs and high paving rates, having been designed to meet a need to build roads over long distances wi
    Read More
  • SDLG and Alibaba form partnership
    June 6, 2018
    SDLG and Alibaba have formed partnership intended to improve intelligent manufacturing in China. SDLG says it will use Alibaba’s business intelligence expertise to modernise production, increasing efficiency and flexibility in the process. The partnership is aimed at developing the manufacturing techniques at SDLG’s assembly plants at Linyi in China. By partnering with Alibaba, the company hopes to use such innovations as artificial intelligence, machine-to-machine communication and intelligent devices to
    Read More

Highlighted Content