Demand for compact machinery continues an upward trajectory as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and the resultant recovery takes hold. In particular, steady housing starts are expected to drive growth in the North American market, where Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas Inc. (HCMA) started its full-scale business expansion in March 2022.

Taking a proactive approach to meet this future demand, Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. will increase the production capacity for compact products such as excavators and wheel loaders produced at the Shiga Works facility of its consolidated subsidiary, Hitachi Construction Machinery Tierra Co., Ltd. The Shiga Works facility is forecast to produce approximately 30% more units by FY 2025 compared to the number of machines produced in FY 2021.

As part of the facility upgrade, Hitachi Construction Machinery Tierra plans to functionally enhance and relocate its product test site to an adjacent site by FY 2024, with the goal of advanced development of compact products. Because compact products often replace manpower and frequently operate in urban areas, there is a growing need for high functionality, which requires more advanced development testing. In addition to an expansion of environment-resistant testing equipment, beginning in FY 2024 Hitachi Construction Machinery Tierra will expand compact excavator and compact wheel loader testing, including structural rigidity tests, at a site approximately twice the size of its previous site.

Looking toward the future, the Hitachi Construction Machinery Group will continue to help resolve the customer issues of “improving safety,” “improving productivity,” and “reducing lifecycle costs” as a close and reliable partner.

Test site overview

  • Location: 6 Hinokigaoka, Minakuchicho, Koka-shi, Shiga Prefecture (within the Hinokigaoka Industrial Park)
  • Site area: approximately 198,056 square feet (18,400 square meters)
  • Scheduled start of construction: June 2022
  • Scheduled start of operation: April 2024

 

About Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas Inc.

The commitment of Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas Inc. (HCMA) to the North American and Latin American markets is significant. With manufacturing facilities in Banshu, Ryugasaki, Tierra, Hitachinaka and Tsuchiura, Japan, and the U.S. Corporate office and campus in Newnan, Georgia, HCMA offers outstanding parts availability, customer and dealer training programs, and a wide range of services and programs — providing outstanding support for Hitachi construction machinery. Backed by the global strength of Hitachi, its employees, dealers and especially customers, HCMA is poised to make a major impact on the construction and mining equipment markets in North America and Latin America. For more information, please visit hitachicm.us.