Skip to main content

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.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • IRF Gulf region event addresses infrastrecture challenges
    March 15, 2012
    The third edition of IRF's signature event in the Gulf region gathered over 450 regional and international delegates amid calls for concerted efforts to meet the challenges posed by the region's growing demand for personal mobility and increased movement of goods
  • Caterpillar is launching a new customer service option and new machines at BICES
    October 16, 2013
    Caterpillar is increasing its focus on specific markets with technology developed for particular requirements as well as introducing a new focus for how it works with its dealers and customers. John Fallows, general manager of Caterpillar’s GCI territory said, “We are launching five new products at BICES, all of which are designed for customer needs.”
  • Chinese quarry increasing size of Caterpillar fleet
    December 10, 2013
    Chinese quarry producer Beijing Xindadi Equipment Company is looking to increase the size of its Caterpillar machine fleet as part of its plan to increase output The company is based at Beijing Miyun Taishi Village and currently produces 1-1.5 million tonnes/year of limestone, which is used for general construction in the Beijing area. Zhang Guofeng is equipment manager for the firm and said, “Business is good because the market is not affected by the downturn.”
  • Comer Industries sees nearly a 10% drop in sales for full year 2015
    February 22, 2016
    Year end results for Comer Industries showed revenue down at €327 million, a 9.4% dip from €361 million for fiscal year 2014. However, the company reported that excluding the sale of the electric wheel product line in January last year, the revenue drop would have been 5%. Comer Industries is based in Reggiolo, Italy and has around 1,240 employees. It designs and manufactures advanced engineering systems and mechatronic solutions for power transmission for major producers of agricultural and industrial ma