Hitachi offers more

by Colin Sowman

From the new year Hitachi will start to offer over 100 machines in 17 ranges while its new factory in Holland will be building excavators between 10t and 45t.

While some EX models will continue, many excavators have been replaced with the new Zaxis (dash seven) range - launched in Japan in 2000.

The portfolio will contain a total of 51 tracked excavators and 12 rigid dump trucks as well as rubber ducks and crawler cranes (including tower, clamshell, lifting magnet and dragline variations) and loading shovels. Wheeled loaders, tracked carriers, crawler crushers, crawler aerial platforms and a crawler pile driver are also in the line up, although some machines are still awaiting CE marking.

The new 29,600m2 factory in Amsterdam will have a capacity of 3,500 units per annum. Machines will be of a standard build with the factory fitting customising kits to configure machines for each country.

Hitachi's European headquarters will also relocate to the Amsterdam site occupying a separate building with air-conditioned training workshops and a glass-fronted viewing gallery over the demonstration area.

The factory itself is in the port area of Amsterdam with a landing stage nearby to unload excavators in the 5t to 10t range. Those above 45t will come directly from Japan, plus crushers, wheeled loaders and tracked carriers.

Hitachi is still awaiting HM Plant's decision on whether or not it will distribute its products in the UK.

A Hitachi spokesman said: "We fully expect HM Plant to continue it's 22-year relationship as the Hitachi dealer for the UK."