Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe)
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Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV is a subsidiary of Hitachi Construction Machinery Group. It is responsible for Hitachi's construction machinery-related activities in Europe, Africa, Russia, and the Middle East.
[edit] History
HCME's main products are hydraulic excavators, ranging from mini excavators up to 780-ton ultra-large face shovels. In addition, HCME markets wheeled loaders, rigid dump trucks, crawler carriers and other products made by HCM Group companies.
Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV has a relatively short history in Europe. With its origins going back to 1968 when Hovers Constructie NV in Tilburg was appointed exclusive importer of Hitachi's range of construction equipment in Benelux. In the 1970s the company launched a number of crawler cranes designed locally but had appeal throughout the world.
In 1981 the company opened a new parts warehouse, which allowed for the first time that all the machines sold in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In 1986 the production partnership between Fiat and Hitachi began with the original plan to build a limited range of Hitachi crawler excavators in Fiat's factory in San Mauro, Turin, Italy.
In October 1998, Euclid and Hitachi opened a partnership. "A Partnership for a New Millennium" was solidified with Euclid. In March 2001 Hitachi announced that it would terminate the joint venture relationship with Fiat. After the termination of the joint venture in June 2002, HCME pursued an independent strategy in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
