the driving force

The driving force

GROUNDCONTROLIssue 9 Spring 2009 www.hcme.com

The magazine of Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV

Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV02 GROUND CONTROL 03

Contents04 NewsFrom Russia to France, Qatar to Finland, Ground Control covers the innovative and intriguing world of Hitachi construction machinery

12 Road to recoveryGround Control goes east in search of Russian earthmoving and road construction company Transstroymechanizatsiya, which is working on the widening of the Moscow-Minsk highway with its Hitachi fleet

16 Building confidence in demolitionBusiness is booming in demolition and Hitachi has an expanding product range to meet the needs of customers such as Wring Group and Haffa Tiefbau

20 Growing togetherMeet the enthusiastic team at Hitachi Construction Machinery Sales & Service France and two of the official French Hitachi dealers, Prowimat and Teramat

26 Time for changeCarrières du Lessus is leading the way with its methods of recycling and waste management in the beautiful Swiss countryside

32 And the wheels keep moving...The new Hitachi EH3500ACII and EX3600-6 have arrived at the largest new mining project in Finland owned by the Talvivaara Mining Company

38 Dealer listYour comprehensive guide to the HCME dealer network for all enquiries relating to Hitachi construction machinery

Ground Control is published twice a year and is circulated among 100,000 readers. Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV, Siciliëweg 5, 1045 AT Amsterdam, The Netherlands Telephone: +31 -(0)20 44 76 700Fax: +31 -(0)20 33 44 045E-mail: [email protected]: www.hcme.comEditors: Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV: Ghislaine Jonker and Raymond HendriksCo-ordination: Somacon, www.somacon.nlEditorial and design: RBP, www.rbplimited.co.ukPhotography: Glenn Blackburn, www.glennblackburn.co.ukTranslation: UvA Talen, www.uvatalen.nlPrinting: Roto Smeets GrafiServices, www.rsgrafiservices.nlCirculation: Vogelaar Verzenders BV, www.vogelaarverzenders.nl© Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME). All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden except with the written permission of HCME. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information published in Ground Control, HCME is not responsible for inaccuracies or omissions. All views expressed are not necessarily those of HCME. The manufacturer is not responsible for non-compliance to industry-standard health and safety measures by third parties, nor for any damage or loss resulting from anyone’s reliance on editorial and photography in Ground Control. 072620

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GROUNDCONTROLIssue 9 Spring 2009 www.hcme.com

The magazine of Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV

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04 Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV GROUND CONTROL 05

All over the world, we’re working to help you keep working. Here’s the latest product launches, distributor updates and customer success stories, which prove Hitachi is making the differenceNEWS

To a true construction machinery enthusiast, an excavator isn’t just an excavator – it’s a monster of steel. And this is how the Monsterpark in Bavaria, Germany refers to its main attractions.

The amusement park has 30 machines, from one to 200-tonne excavators. The range includes wheel loaders, mini, wheeled and crawler excavators, and dump trucks. It includes 15 Hitachi models supplied by Kiesel, Germany’s official Hitachi distributor.

Enthusiasts of all ages can learn how to operate this wide range of machines around the site. The park also has a museum – the first of its kind in the country – and a selection of scale models to illustrate the history of construction machinery since 1850.

Monsterpark is open at weekends from March to December. It is owned by Gerhard Seibold, Managing Director of Seibold Erdbau. Based in Bamberg, the 55-year-old company specialises in civil engineering, earthmoving and road construction.

NRC Plant, the UK distributor of Hitachi Sumitomo crawler cranes, has delivered a new SCX700 to Kier Plant. Built in Japan, the 70-tonne lift crane is equipped with main and auxiliary winches. It will carry booms up to 54m long with the option of various offset fly jibs up to 18m.

The crane has been commissioned at the £100million (¤116million) Kier Construction West Burton power station project for EDF. It is the first of nine cranes to be deployed on the civil engineering works.

Crawler cranes will feature increasingly in the Kier Plant crane fleet. “This purchase marks a return to crawler cranes by Kier Plant following the successful development in recent years of its tower crane rental business,” says NRC Plant Managing Director Rod Abbott.

A day out with a difference

Rising high above the competition

Joseph Gallagher with the new additions to his fleet of Hitachi Zaxis excavators

Visitors can learn to operate a range of Hitachi machines at Monsterpark

NRC Plant has also supplied its parent company, Joseph Gallagher Ltd, with a number of Hitachi ZX135US-3 and ZX225USLC-3 excavators. The new machines were acquired due to the continued expansion of the company’s construction activities.

A specialist in tunnelling, Joseph Gallagher Ltd has also become increasingly successful in the civil engineering sector in recent years.

“The new Zaxis models will help us to fulfil the requirements of new contracts to the value of £10million (¤11.6million),” said owner Joseph Gallagher.

NRC Plant Managing Director Rod Abbott (left) hands over the crane keys to Pat Glynn and Eddy Carr of Kier Plant

More than 200 dealers and customers from all over France gathered at the first My HITACHI Experience event in October. Organised by Hitachi Construction Machinery Sales & Service France (HCSF) (see page 20), it gave visitors the chance to try out 20 Hitachi machines in a fun and relaxed environment.

HCSF President Kenichi Fujisawa welcomed guests to Domaine de Galicet, a rural activities centre 40 minutes outside Paris. He encouraged them to put every model to the test. “We want you to feel the quality of the Hitachi products and enjoy the day,” he said.

Participants were split into four teams. They were able to score points throughout the day by completing a series of simple tasks with the Hitachi construction machinery.

Six mini excavators were available for the activities, ranging from the new ZX14-3 to the ZX60USB-3. The challenge with the Hitachi ZX22U-2 was placing a Hitachi football into a tyre, for example.

Five ZW series wheel loaders were also available to test, including three new models, the ZW140, ZW150 and ZW180PL. A slalom-style course was set up to demonstrate the manoeuvrability of the ZW140, while the ZW180 could be driven over a patch of rough terrain.

Additional activities such as clay-pigeon shooting and go-karting were also on the schedule. Medals and trophies were later presented to the groups with the highest scores.

Engineers and sales team members from Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) were on hand to answer any questions from customers and explain the relevance of the occasion.

Mr Fujisawa praised the efforts of his 14-strong team for organising and co-ordinating the event. “Our aim was to get all the HCSF sales staff, dealers and customers in the same place at the same time. We want to establish confidence in our products and with our people.”

Philippe and Ann Gojon of Gojon Travaux Publiques, based in Haute Savoie, were invited to the event by Teramat Managing Director Damien Roudet. Their company has 50 Hitachi excavators and specialises in landscaping, earthmoving and demolition. “It has been a well organised and fun event,” commented Ann. “I have really enjoyed trying the machines in an informal environment.”

My HITACHI Experience in action

All participants posed for a group photograph before lunch, beneath the booms of two Hitachi wheeled excavators. This was framed and given to everyone, along with a Hitachi baseball cap and T-shirt, as reminders of the inaugural My HITACHI Experience day.

HCSF’s My HITACHI Experience event was well attended

The handling of the wheel loaders was tested on rough terrain

There were some creative ideas to show the excavators’ capabilities

0706 Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV GROUND CONTROL

NEWS

Beyond the 252-year-old façade of Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre, several Hitachi Zaxis mini excavators are hard at work. Owned by construction company Palard, they are excavating earth from up to 18m below one of the capital’s oldest theatres. This huge and historic renovation project will result in an additional four storeys and an increased capacity of 1,270 seats.

Palard has eight Hitachi mini excavators. Two of its ZX40U-2 models are beneath the Bolshoi Theatre. With a short-tail swing, they are ideal for working in tight spaces underground.

Productivity at the site has definitely increased since Hitachi introduced its mini excavators to the Russian market five years ago. Before then, earthmoving was done by hand as no other machine could fit in this space!

A Hitachi customer for three years, Palard also has five Hitachi excavators with a clamshell telescopic arm: four EX225s and an EX330. Chief Mechanic Oleg Rudenkov says, “In terms of price and function, Hitachi is ideal for our company. We have had no problems with the excavators – they are extremely reliable. Each machine at this site has two operators and runs for 18 hours a day.”

In the heart of south Siberia, Stroyservis is one of several mining companies contributing to Russia’s economic growth. Abundant natural resources in the Kuzbass (Russia’s largest coal-producing region) are extremely valuable due to a growing demand for high-quality coal.

Annual output at Barzasskoe Tovarischesto, one of Stroyservis’s four mines in the area, has climbed steadily since 2005. It rose from 0.4million tonnes to one million tonnes in 2008. By 2010, it aims to produce 1.5million tonnes.

“This will be achieved by investing in a processing factory and excavating equipment,” says Evgeny Yurin, Stroyservis’s Deputy Chief Engineer for Development. Two recent investments are Hitachi mining excavators – an EX1900-6 and EX2500-5.

Delivered last summer, the two machines have boosted productivity at the mine, 30km north of Kemerovo, which is known as the ‘city of coal’. For example, the EX2500-5 moved one million cubic metres of overburden in three and a half months. Its 15m³ bucket is three times larger than the older Russian machinery that the company used previously.

Once the overburden is removed, the coal is excavated and transported by rigid dump trucks to an on-site factory for classification. The coal is then transported by rail to customers. Domestic sales account for 85 per cent of coal produced, with 15 per cent exported to Turkey, Europe and the Baltic countries.

Destia is the preferred contractor for the Talvivaara nickel sulphide mine in Kainuu in the east of Finland (see page 32). The company’s Product Engineer Anssi Auvinen oversees the operation, which involves a three-and-a-half-year contract to excavate and haul 720,000m3 of overburden per annum from the open-pit to the secondary heap.

“This is one of Destia’s first mining contracts, so we had to be sure that we selected the best machinery and back-up for the rigorous demands of this site,” explains Anssi. “Fortunately, the all-encompassing package provided by Hitachi and Rotator has proved that we made the right choice.”

A fleet of seven new and one used Hitachi EH1100 rigid dump trucks and two Hitachi ZX870LCR-3 excavators have been purchased from Finnish Hitachi distributor Rotator for the project. In addition, a ZX470LCH-3 excavator has been supplied with various attachments, for which it has already become known as the ‘tool carrier’.

“The ZX870LCR-3 is excellent, the ZX470LCH-3 is already proving to be reliable and the EH1100s are all working productively,” continues Anssi.

“Destia’s operators have adapted well to the Hitachi machinery and it is easy to use. We work safe in the knowledge that help can be found quickly if we need repair or maintenance work thanks to the on-site support offered by the Hitachi team.”

Working day and night

What lies beneath

Destia’s Hitachi ZX870LCR-3 loads an EH1100 with overburden

City of coal

The EX2500-5 has helped to increase productivity

The Siberian mines represent huge potential for the EX1900-6

Bois et Sciages has made the decision to purchase a Hitachi ZX170W-3 wheeled excavator for its timber yard in Leytron, Switzerland. The family-run company needed a versatile machine with a special attachment to transport logs, which could also travel across the public road that runs through the site.

“The ZX170W-3 is the only solution for this timber yard,” says owner Gregoire Roduit. “It is easy to tax and insure the Hitachi for road use, so that we can move legally from one side of the site to the other. No other machines are required.”

The Zaxis medium excavator’s lifting capacity and stability are also beneficial to the business, as is the cab’s rear-view camera. “It is an invaluable safety feature for the operator – there are many people nearby, with traffic passing through on the road,” highlights Gregoire.

The high resale value of the machine is another plus point, as Gregoire explains: “I bought the ZX170W-3 and an attachment, instead of a specialist machine, because it will be easier to sell to construction-based companies in different industries.”

One for the road

The ZX40U-2 is working four storeys below ground level The reconstruction is a high-profile project in Moscow

The ZX170W-3 can transport logs and travel on the public road

GROUND CONTROL 0908

NEWS

Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV

The official Finnish Hitachi Sumitomo distributor, Rotator, has supplied five SCX1200-2 crawler cranes to rental company, Pekkaniska. These are the first Hitachi Sumitomo cranes to be ordered in Finland with the number one unit being delivered in August 2008.

Rotator was appointed as a Hitachi Sumitomo distributor after the Bauma exhibition in 2007 with this significant sales agreement reached in December of the same year. The 120-tonne model was delivered and assembled at its first job site in Tuusula, near Helsinki, where it was employed to help build a new warehouse.

Pekkaniska is a leading rental company supplying cranes, platforms and forklifts to its native Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Ukraine. With over 7,000 machines in the Pekkaniska fleet, Rotator has made a significant breakthrough with the supply of the SCX1200-2s. It is hoped that the relationship will develop and help to promote the Hitachi Sumitomo brand in the region.

“Rotator secured the sales agreement with Pekkaniska by offering a top level of supply and service,” explains the distributor’s Hitachi Sumitomo Sales Director, Vesa Valtonen. “We have already built up a good relationship with Mr Niska and he was happy to add five SCX1200-2s to the crane rental fleet due to the economies of scale.”

High five for Rotator

The first five Hitachi Sumitomo cranes in Finland were supplied by official distributor Rotator

The tallest building in Moscow can be found within a new business district in the Russian capital. With 87 storeys, the 348m-high Federation office building is part of an ambitious engineering project on the banks of the river that is due for completion in 2012. The 100-hectare site will be a city within a city, with restaurants, sports and leisure facilities, as well as offices and apartments.

One of the sub-contractors involved in the construction of the vast Moscow-City complex is Ofisstroy. The company relies exclusively on Hitachi construction machinery and has a 150-strong fleet of dump trucks and excavators, from ZX180W to ZX450 models.

The company has 30 machines at the Moscow-City site, including two ZX450LC-3s, two ZX230LCs fitted with breakers, and a ZX210LCH-3. The two larger excavators are digging to a depth of 24m to make way for the foundations of a new tower next to the Federation building.

Operator Dmitry Pikalov says, “Hitachi machines are very reliable in tough Russian weather conditions and on hard ground. In winter, the temperature can reach -30°C! They are also easy to maintain – for example, the filters are changed every 250 hours and it’s no problem for us to do that job.”

Ofisstroy bought its first Hitachi machine in 1998. During the past five years it has developed a good relationship with the official Hitachi distributor in Russia, Techstroycontract (TSC). “The after-sales support and service it provides are very good – there is always a quick response from TSC,” adds Dmitry.

Moscow’s financial centrereaches new heights

Hitachi excavators are preparing the way for a new tower in the Moscow-City complex

Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) has broadened its range of Zaxis excavators and wheel loaders with the introduction of the ZX14-3 and ZW140. Both models will be on display at Intermat, held on 20-25 April in Paris. More than 200,000 visitors representing 127 countries are expected to attend.

The ZX14-3 fills an important gap in the 1-2 tonne class of mini excavators. Its three-cylinder engine, larger exhaust capacity and engine-rated power of 10.7kW have been designed to reduce fuel consumption and comply with the new European Stage III A emission regulations. The large 22-litre capacity fuel tank increases operating time and consequently boosts productivity.

The hydraulics on the ZX14-3 are similar to those found on medium Hitachi Zaxis excavators. The new mini excavator also has hydraulic control levers, which make it easy to manoeuvre and responsive, increasing speed and efficiency.

Lightweight and narrow, the ZX14-3 can be transported easily on a trailer and is ideal for working in confined spaces. An additional benefit is easy access to the engine and side covers for routine maintenance.

“The ZX14-3 has already achieved positive test results against competing brands,” says Joep van den Maagdenberg, HCME Product Sales Representative for mini excavators. “It is fast, precise and easy to operate, and will help Hitachi to compete in an important sector of the market.”

New arrivals for Hitachi at Intermat

Fast, precise and easy to operate – the new Hitachi ZX14-3 mini excavator

The new ZW140 is the smallest model in the Hitachi wheel loader range

The popular Hitachi ZW wheel loader range has also been extended with the arrival of the ZW140. Like the new ZW150, it has been developed with the same industry-leading features as the current ZW180, ZW220, ZW250 and ZW310 models.

The powerful yet economic 96kW engine of the ZW140 helps to reduce fuel consumption and increase productivity. It is also equipped with an innovative hydraulic system, the Hydro-Static Transmission (HST). This provides greater mobility when fully loaded, plus smoother control on a gradient, and under acceleration and deceleration.

Operators of the new wheel loader can select one of four work modes, according to their preference and the particular job. The Optimum Traction Force can optimise productivity, while minimising tyre wear and fuel consumption.

The ZW140 may be the smallest Hitachi wheel loader, but the cab is spacious and more comparable to that of a larger model. With ergonomically designed controls, switches and pedals, plus a fully adjustable air suspension seat and tilted steering column, it provides a comfortable working environment.

Like the ZX14-3 mini excavator, the new wheel loader has easily accessible inspection points and durable components, which help to reduce downtime and reduce maintenance costs.

Please visit www.intermat.fr for more information about the exhibition.

GROUND CONTROL 1110

NEWS


Star of the sea at work in the Middle East

A successful collaboration between Belgian Hitachi dealer Luyckx and international dredging contractor Jan de Nul has produced a remarkable result – the first Hitachi excavator to work under water.

The modified ZX870LCH-3, known as the ‘Starfish’, can operate in depths up to 5m and temperatures up to 50˚C. Its ability to cope with tidal conditions makes it perfectly suited to its current role: digging pipeline trenches in the Qatar seabed.

Discussions between Luyckx and customer Jan de Nul began two years ago. To create the 120-tonne machine, they decided to lift the ZX870LCH-3’s complete upper structure from the undercarriage. A scissor-like construction has been fitted to a new base plate underneath the upper structure.

Luyckx dealt with stability concerns by keeping all the heavy parts of the machine as close to the seabed as possible. Two hydraulic cylinders have been fitted to raise the 35-tonne upper structure containing the engine and cab.

Kris Meeus, Technical Engineer at the Belgian dealer, says, “The undercarriage has been lengthened and widened to ensure stability – especially on uneven surfaces.”

Dutch firm STC modified the undercarriage of the ZX870LCH-3, which now resembles that of the larger Hitachi EX1200. A second

model is currently under construction, which will in fact be based on an EX1200-5.

“Starfish II will be equipped with a tube that is bolted between the undercarriage and the chassis,” says Kris. “This will be removable, so the machine can be modified at any time to almost standard specification.”

To withstand salt-water damage, the Starfish is coated with extra thick paint used in the industrial shipping sector. Special bolts and grease are used that can withstand the corrosive effects of salt water.

Operator comfort and safety in this unique machine have also been considered. Air conditioning and anti-reflex glass in the cab are essential in Qatar, where temperatures often reach 40˚C. A rear-view camera allows the operator to see the counterweight, which spends most of its time under water.

Special GPS software provides visibility of the boom and standard 4m³ bucket. In the unlikely event of engine failure, a second emergency engine will allow the operator to manoeuvre the excavator into shallow water.

When the Starfish is fitted with a hydraulic hammer attachment, the engine is also used to power an air compressor. This prevents water from coming into the body of the hammer while it is working below the surface.

The concept of the Starfish clearly works and holds great potential for complex harbour extension projects and underwater pipelines. Dredging contractors around the world are following its development with interest.

The modified excavator is also testament to the successful co-operation between Luyckx and its customer of many years, Jan de Nul.

“The collaboration between Luyckx and Jan de Nul is based on quality products and services, trust and technical knowledge,” concludes Kris. “Both companies are at the forefront of technical innovations, so that new working methods can be developed.”

The Starfish has a maximum working depth of 8.87m

A much-loved region of southern France, Provence is blessed with beautiful countryside and a mountainous backdrop, including the Mont Sainte Victoire painted by Paul Cézanne. It is also home to one of the most loyal Hitachi customers in the country. Roux TP bought its first Hitachi machine, a UH07, 25 years ago. That same year, owner Jean-Michel Roux, whose father established the business in 1956, began working as an operator.

Today, the company has four Hitachi Zaxis models, including a ZX17U-2, ZX210 and ZW220 wheel loader. It has 40 employees and specialises in earthmoving, groundworks and road-widening projects throughout Provence.

“We have continued to buy Hitachi construction machinery because it is the best,” says Jean-Michel. “I studied engineering at school, so I know how the machines work, and in my opinion, Hitachi manufactures the best machines. They are reliable and easy to use.”

Last July, Roux TP took delivery of a ZX225USLC-3 excavator. One of the company’s experienced operators had tested the new model, then recommended it to Jean-Michel. Modified by official Hitachi distributor Prowimat, the ZX225USLC-3 has a special clamp that enables the bucket to lift large, heavy rocks securely and with extra precision. “This ZX225USLC-3 does the work of two excavators – it can be used for earthmoving as well as lifting large rocks,” says Jean-Michel. “No additional attachments are needed, which makes it extremely versatile.”

Fifty years in Provence

The ZX225USLC-3 is the latest addition to the Roux TP fleet

Jan de Nul wanted to work 24 hours a day in coastal conditions without a pontoon

now available atwww.hcmewebshop.com

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Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV GROUND CONTROL

HIGH OIL AND GAS PRICES, AND PLENTIFUL NATURAL ENERGY RESERVES ARE FUELLING A BOOM IN RUSSIA’S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. GOVERNMENT FUNDING IS HELPING TO TRANSFORM THE COUNTRY’S INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING ROAD NETWORKS, AIRPORT RUNWAYS AND PORT TERMINALS. Ground Control VISITED ONE OF THE COMPANIES INVOLVED AND DISCOVERED A HUGE SENSE OF PRIDE, NOT ONLY IN IMPROVING THE NATIONAL TRANSPORT NETWORK, BUT ALSO IN ITS GROWING FLEET OF HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY

Road to recovery

Driving west out of Moscow, an empty single lane in the middle of the busy Moscow-Minsk highway separates the traffic

flowing on either side. This is reserved for the use of an important government official and his cortege, when he travels to the Kremlin from his home outside the city.

This highlights the crucial role played by the government in Russia’s road construction industry. Since 2006, the State has invested heavily in improving highways like this one, which link Russia’s largest cities and lead to those of its neighbouring countries. By 2020, the total distance of these major routes will have tripled, from 731,000km to approximately 2.2million km.

For motorists on the heavily congested routes in and around Moscow, the investment is vital. It amounts to an estimated one trillion Russian roubles (€27.8billion), which will bring much-needed

1. The ZW310 loads trucks that transport material to an on-site crusher

“We are completely satisfied with the performance of Hitachi construction machinery. It is productive and reliable – there is no downtime”

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improvement to the country’s infrastructure. Companies working in the road construction industry now have funds to buy the necessary machinery and equipment to complete the work. They also have many opportunities. For firms such as Transstroymechanizatsiya, it is a good time to be involved in the business.

A subsidiary of Inzhtransstroy Corporation, one of the largest construction companies in the Russian Federation, Transstroymechanizatsiya specialises in earthmoving and road construction. Its 1,500 employees can be working on up to seven projects at any one time, from as far north as St Petersburg, known as the ‘Venice of the North’, to the south-west city of Sochi, which will host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.

Since it was founded in June 2005, Transstroymechanizatsiya has worked on several state-funded projects. This includes the construction of runways at Russia’s main airports including the third terminal runway at Moscow International Sheremetyevo Airport.

General Director of Transstroymechanizatsiya Gumenyuk A Yuriy says, “The company has also worked on earthmoving projects for the expansion of airports at Vnukovo, Adler, Yamar, Ufa and Sochi. We have completed construction projects on the Chita to Khabarovsk highway, worked on an oil station in the Nakhodka region and on other significant projects of federal importance.”

Transstroymechanizatsiya is highly regarded within the Russian road construction industry. It prides itself on completing high-quality construction projects on time and within budget. This is achieved by maintaining consistently high levels of productivity, using advanced building technologies and modern equipment.

The company has approximately 250 units of construction machinery, including 51 dump trucks. It has a total of 24 Hitachi excavators and wheel loaders, which represents more machines than any other manufacturer. A third of its Hitachi fleet, including four medium crawler excavators and three wheeled excavators, was delivered in 2008.

“Hitachi has a good reputation in Russia and many companies use its construction machinery,” says Chief Mechanic Andrey Markov. “Favourable costs and machine reliability were the main reasons why Transstroymechanizatsiya initially chose Hitachi. The market is very competitive, so price and reliability are important factors.

“Hitachi machines are also convenient to use and easy to

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1. Chief Mechanic Andrey Markov is satisfied with the company’s fleet of Hitachi construction machinery

2. The ZX350H-3 is available in Russia and the Far East3. The ZX350LCH-3 is used for earthmoving at the side of the Minsk highway

maintain. You can reach all of the parts easily. Some of the first machines bought by the company in 2006 were the ZX350 and ZX450 excavators. They each now have 14,000 hours on the clock and haven’t required any significant maintenance.”

This is particularly important to the business, because it relies on its machines so heavily. Each has three operators and works for 20 hours a day. However, coping with challenging working conditions in remote locations and the harsh Russian climate is not an issue, according to Andrey.

“If you pick the right equipment for the job, there is no problem,” he explains. “The temperature can drop to -30°C in winter, but the machines are working round the clock so they don’t have time to cool down or have problems with starting up. Our excavators have also been specially reinforced for mountainous conditions.”

By contrast, one of the company’s less demanding sites is currently on the Moscow-Minsk highway, 35km west of Moscow. But it is no less significant – the 3,000km road leads not only to Minsk in Belarus, but on to Warsaw in Poland and as far as Germany. “It’s like Russia’s corridor to the West,” says Andrey, proudly.

Approximately 350 of its 1,500 employees have been working at this 4km-long site since February 2008. The job involves widening the two lanes into four either side, as well as repairing the original road, which was built in 1929. The existing surface is broken up and the loose material is dug up by the company’s excavators, then transported to an on-site crusher. Transstroymechanizatsiya recycles the material by using it to make the surface of the new, wider road, and for other projects elsewhere.

There are four Hitachi models at this site: ZX350LCH-3, ZX350H-3 (available in Russia and the Far East, but not in Europe) and ZX180W excavators, and a ZW310 wheel loader. The operators are working 12-hour shifts to meet the deadlines and the company’s Hitachi fleet is also playing its part.

“We are completely satisfied with the performance of Hitachi construction machinery,” says Foreman Sergey Tridenezhkin. “Compared with other manufacturers, Hitachi machines are more productive and reliable – there is no downtime.”

They also seem to have made life easier for operators. As well as cabin features such as air conditioning and a comfortable seat, most employees commented on how easy Hitachi excavators are to manoeuvre.

“It is as if they have been built for the convenience of the operator,” says Josef Karasik, currently working with a ZX350LCH-3. “At the end of my shift, I don’t feel as tired as I used to when working with other machinery.”

At the time of Ground Control’s visit to Moscow last summer, Transstroymechanizatsiya was at a pivotal stage in its development. General Director Gumenyuk A Yuriy said the company was expecting to start work on another large state-funded project. “We are also trying to win a contract with Russian railways,” he confirmed.

The expected delivery of three new medium Zaxis excavators, plus a ZW220 wheel loader, will no doubt help Transstroymechanizatsiya to complete its new assignments. The machines will be supplied by Russia’s official Hitachi dealer Techstroycontract (TSC), with whom the company has established a good relationship over the past three years. “TSC meets all of our requirements for service and maintenance,” says Andrey.

TSC has 110 branches across Russia, the largest national market for Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME). It has helped HCME to rapidly expand its dealer network, thanks to effective distribution, logistics and a steady level of machine

Please visit www.myHITACHIexperience.com for more job site reports and customer interviews incorporating a wide range of Hitachi construction machinery across Europe, the Middle East and Africa2

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availability. TSC offers customers a wide range of services, including sales, support, parts, rental and logistics. It can also supply a large selection of Hitachi machines, which are almost all delivered directly from Japan.

As well as expanding on its stock, Transstroymechanizatsiya has also invested in a newly renovated workshop in Moscow, where machinery and trucks can be repaired. Andrey and his team have only recently moved in. As proof, there is a large display cabinet in one of the offices at the new depot, containing a single ZW220 model. There seems to be plenty of space for new miniature additions to the fleet.

“No, I just haven’t had time to unpack all my others yet,” says Andrey, smiling. Without realising it, he has summed up the mood within the Russian construction market at present – with so much investment and so many opportunities springing up across this vast, ambitious country, it’s time to think big.

Transstroymechanizatsiya model line-up

ZX180W

n Delivered on 28/03/06n 7,572 working hoursn 0.7m³ bucket capacity

ZW310

n Delivered on 08/09/06n 5,600 working hoursn 4m³ bucket capacity

ZX350LCH-3

n Delivered on 07/02/08n 522 working hoursn 1.4m³ bucket capacity

ZX350H-3

n Delivered on 12/03/08n 200 working hoursn 1.4m³ bucket capacity

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Building confidence in demolitionNOW THE ZAXIS EXCAVATOR RANGE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED, HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY (EUROPE) NV (HCME) IS TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT SPECIAL APPLICATION MACHINES. Ground Control REPORTS ON THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR HITACHI DEMOLITION MODELS AND THE PLAN TO CREATE A WIDER PRODUCT RANGE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE EUROPEAN MARKET

Despite reports of a decline in the general construction market in 2008, there are still reasons to be optimistic about the

demolition sector. In Eastern Europe, for example, countries such as Poland and Romania now have access to EU investment to improve infrastructure. Many demolition projects are currently underway to create space for new housing and offices. And customers are willing to invest in new high-reach machines.

Turkey, which hopes to join the EU in 2015, also holds great potential for the demolition market. During the last 15 years, the urban population has doubled, creating greater need for housing. According to Sukru Eltutar, General Manager of ENKA Pazarlama, the official HCME distributor in Turkey, 45,000 buildings are assigned for immediate demolition.

The news from Western Europe is equally encouraging. The European demolition industry is worth an estimated £80billion (¤89.6billion). In the UK, it is currently worth £5billion (¤5.6billion) and there are positive predictions of year-on-year growth from industry experts.

According to John Woodward, Vice President of the Institute of Demolition Engineers, the industry has developed rapidly in recent years: “This is due to the advancement of high-reach specialist machinery, industry guidance and a fully trained workforce, coupled with massive investment by the major players in state-of-the-art equipment.”

There is clearly a big demand for demolition specification excavators in Europe. The Hitachi range is still relatively new to the continent, however, whereas in Japan, it has a 33 per cent market share.

When the Zaxis-3 excavators were introduced three years ago, HCME was already active in the demolition market. “Since then we have started proactively developing this side of the business,” says Mark Burghoorn, HCME Product Sales Representative Special Equipment.

The current Hitachi demolition line-up consists of the ZX250LC-3 with 16m high-reach boom; ZX350LC-3 with 21 or 23m; ZX470LCH-3 with 25 or 27m and the ZX870LCH-3 with 33, 36 or 40m. “Over the past three years, the ZX350LC-3 has been the most popular model – several were sold last year,” says Mark.

The base machines are delivered to HCME’s Special Application factory in Oosterhout, The Netherlands from Japan, where they are modified to the customer’s specifications. This includes painting the machine a different colour, providing an additional arm to make it longer or shorter, and setting hydraulic pressures, for example.

HCME offers customers a ‘multi-boom principle’. As well as high-reach and standard booms, they can also order a two-piece

boom for lifting heavier work tools. “The normal configuration is demolition and standard excavating boom. But the two-piece boom is more versatile – 80 per cent of our customers now choose this and the demolition option,” says Mark.

The multi-boom principle gives customers greater flexibility. They can buy booms separately, at a later date, which helps with finance. “For example, we sold a ZX470 at Bauma in 2007, but had an enquiry from the customer for the demolition equipment in October 2008. We strive to be flexible with our customers.”

Any modifications to the structure or design of the machine can be made at Oosterhout. “One customer wanted to be able to alter the width of the undercarriage hydraulically, so the machine could fit on to a trailer,” says Mark.

“So, we talked to the engineers at Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. (HCM) in Japan and were able to change the width of the undercarriage on the ZX470-3 model at Oosterhout – with their approval. Over the next five years, Japan will be looking at the demands of the European market and will make more modifications like this. The aim is to make a product range especially for Europe.”

HCM recognises that Europe varies to its domestic market. “The method for demolition is different in Japan where customers use machines for one application only,” says Mark. “But European customers want one machine to do all the work: demolish a building, clear the material etc. – and with one trailer, one license, one operator. So the excavator becomes a versatile tool carrier.”

Hitachi also recognises that there are specific demands from countries within Europe. In Italy, for example, a ZX210-3 demolition machine would be suitable for housing and bridges, where space is limited. “The ZX210-3 is already available in Japan with a high-reach front attachment. We proved there was a demand for it in Europe as well, so now we can order several machines for the Italian market.”

For the next generation of Zaxis excavators, higher-reach machines and hydraulic undercarriages are among the improvements under consideration.

HCME also hopes to order all of its special application machines complete from HCM in future. From April 2009 to March 2010, all demolition machines will be supplied completely from Japan and modified at its Application Production Department.

Mark explains the advantages: “Machines built at the HCM factory in Japan are high-quality and at a competitive cost. Modifying machines in Europe may have a negative impact on the end-user price.”

HCME is also focusing on increasing availability of machines for European dealers and customers. “Availability sells,” says Mark. “We need two of each size of machine in stock, and an additional two units that are 50 per cent assembled. If we have machines in stock, it is easier for dealers to sell them.

“Ideally, we would like to have several demolition machines in each country, acting like moving ‘advertisements’. Then, it’s much easier for the dealer to demonstrate their capabilities to customers in their own country.”

Ground Control visited two machines at work in the UK and Switzerland to illustrate the potential of the ZX350LC-3 and ZX250LC-3 in the European demolition sector.

1. The ZX350LC-3 is the most popular Hitachi demolition machine2. Hitachi excavators can be modified to customer specifications3. HCME Product Sales Representative Special Equipment Mark Burghoorn

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Size matters with the ZX250LC-3Haffa Tiefbau was one of the first companies in Europe to take delivery of a Hitachi ZX250LC-3 demolition excavator in June 2008. Owner Christoph Haffa ordered it with mono- and high-reach demolition booms. This makes it suitable for the company’s demolition and earthmoving projects in the canton of Thurgau, Switzerland.

The ZX250LC-3 has a selection of attachments, such as standard and tilt buckets, demolition grabs, hydraulic breakers, and concrete and steel shears. Additional options include protective guards on the front and top of the cab, and a guard for the arm and bucket cylinders.

It recently demolished an old chemical plant in Kreuzlingen to make way for a new one to be built. The construction was 14m high, which was ideal for the ZX250LC-3 with 16m reach.

“The ZX250LC-3 meets all our requirements,” says Christoph. “It is the perfect size of machine for our company and we are satisfied with its performance.

“I have been impressed by the excavator’s economic fuel consumption and its stability. This is particularly important when it is used with the 2.4-tonne metal shears. Additional benefits include low running and maintenance costs, and the fact that it is easy to transport.”

The ZX250LC-3 is Haffa Tiefbau’s sixth Hitachi machine. The company also has ZX160LC, ZX180LC and ZX210LC excavators, plus a LX210 wheel loader. When Christoph established the company in 1996, his first machine was an EX150, followed by an EX200.

“The reason why I have continued to buy Hitachi machines is because I was happy with the performance of the EX150,” says

Aiming high with the ZX350LC-3Wring Group specialises in demolition and asbestos-removal projects in south-west England. It has 35 excavators in its fleet, including several Hitachi Zaxis models, from the ZX210 to the ZX850. The most recent additions include three ZX225USR-3s and the new ZX350LC-3 with 21m reach.

At the time of Ground Control’s visit, the machine was demolishing a large office building in the city of Bristol. It has also been used without its high-reach attachment on other demolition sites in the region. “This demonstrates its versatility,” says co-owner Dean Wring, whose grandfather established the company in 1937. “This is important to us, because it means we can use one machine for different types of work.”

One of the company’s long-serving operators recommended the machine. “He liked his previous Hitachi machine so much, that he chose another one,” says Dean, who runs Wring Group with his brother, John.

“A sales representative from HM Plant [the official UK HCME distributor] took us to see the ZX350LC-3 in Denmark. We were really impressed with how smooth it is to operate and its weight distribution.

“Since we have had the machine, we have also noticed the benefits of other features, such as the enhanced adjustable hydraulics, comfortable cab with computer screen, e-Service and GPS,” continues Dean.

Providing a fast, efficient service is essential to Wring Group’s success. Since 2000, its turnover has increased from £1.6million (¤1.8million) to £12million (¤13.4million). The company’s investment in high-quality construction machinery has also made a valuable contribution.

“We bought our first Hitachi excavator in 2003, after hiring a similar model from a plant hire company. We needed a change from the machines we were using and Hitachi had a good reputation in the industry,” explains Dean.

1. The versatility of the ZX350LC-3 has impressed the Wring Group2. The investment in high-quality demolition machinery has been invaluable

Christoph. “I also appreciate the efficient after-sales support from Probst Maveg.”

From a one-man operation, the company has grown steadily in the past 12 years and now employs 15 people. The latest addition to its fleet will help it work on a wider variety of projects. It will also help it to maintain its reputation for completing work within deadlines, using high-quality machinery.

1. Haffa Tiefbau is happy with its fleet of six Hitachi excavators2. The ZX250LC-3 was delivered with mono- and high-reach booms

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Growing togetherFOLLOWING ITS FIFTH ANNIVERSARY LAST YEAR, Ground Control HAS PUT THE FRENCH NATIONAL SALES COMPANY OF HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY (EUROPE) NV UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT. WHAT MAKES THIS EUROPEAN MARKET SO UNIQUE AND HOW DOES HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY SALES & SERVICE FRANCE PLAN TO EXPAND IN THE FUTURE? WITH SUPPORT FROM PROWIMAT AND TERAMAT, AND THE REST OF THE HITACHI DEALER NETWORK, THE POTENTIAL FOR FURTHER GROWTH IS ENCOURAGING

It may be one of the major European construction markets, but France is quite distinct from the other territories in the Hitachi

Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) distribution network. It has a group of 13 autonomous dealers, and each covers a large region with its own cultures and traditions.

This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Hitachi Construction Machinery Sales & Service France (HCSF), the national sales company of HCME. The challenge is to successfully co-ordinate operations in so many diverse regions of this large country. However, the opportunity lies in its potential for future growth.

“In the past five years, we have doubled the market share for excavators,” says HCSF President Kenichi Fujisawa. “HCSF aims to continue this expansion with our dealers, at least until it is equal to the rest of Europe. We may have a smaller market share, but we have more opportunities to grow than some of the other leading Western European markets.”

HCSF dates back to 2003, when HCME opened a liaison office in France to re-establish its sales network. Mr Kawamoto was appointed as General Manager in Paris and joined by HCSF’s current Commercial Manager, Benoît Gobard, to start recruiting dealers from scratch.

“In 2003, Hitachi had nine dealers covering only half of France,” says Mr Fujisawa. “However, year by year, the network has expanded. By 2005, Hitachi had signed contracts with 15 dealers to cover the whole country.”

HCME then decided to transform the French liaison office into a sales company. Mr Fujisawa, who had worked for the International Division at Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. (HCM) since

1980, left his role in Tokyo to set up HCSF in 2006. Its aims were to manage and educate dealers more effectively, and provide a higher level of product support.

“A liaison office can take longer to make decisions, because everything has to go through HCME in Amsterdam,” says Mr Fujisawa. “But HCSF can now make its own decisions and do business directly with customers.”

This is particularly important for large companies in France, such as Lafarge, Colas, Vinci and Bouygues, which prefer to deal directly with manufacturers.

HCSF has come a long way over the past six years. It now has 14 employees in Paris, who are involved in marketing, product support, accounts and administration. Its progress has been bolstered by the annual growth of the French construction market.

“Between 2003 and 2007, the French construction machinery market doubled in size,” says Mr Fujisawa. “This healthy growth was specifically for mini and medium excavators, and wheel loaders.”

Mini excavators, wheeled excavators and wheel loaders are all potential areas for growth in sales and market share. “The French market for wheeled excavators is the second biggest behind Germany in western Europe,” says Mr Fujisawa. “Some of our dealers are selling numbers equal to crawler excavators.”

The market share of mini excavators and wheel loaders for Hitachi is not yet as high as it is for medium excavators. “Our sales force has greater experience of medium excavators, so sometimes it’s easier to sell these machines.”

To enhance their knowledge of the mini and wheel loader ranges, HCSF organised training sessions for 60 sales personnel and 15 dealers at the My HITACHI Experience event in October last year (see page 5). Six mini excavators and five wheel loaders were the main attractions at the event. Both dealers and their customers were invited to put the machines to the test.

“Events such as this are important to encourage customers to buy Hitachi construction machinery,” says Mr Fujisawa. “As a group, Hitachi has to establish confidence in products and people. Just like a family, the dealers and HCSF are all working together.”

1. The HCSF team, including Benoît Gobard (second from right)2. HCSF President Kenichi Fujisawa

Providing dealer support is the main aim of HCSF. “We rely on sales through dealers, so we want them to be financially stable and to upgrade their capability for product support,” continues Mr Fujisawa. “To do that, the dealer has to be profitable, invest in expanding the number of branches and the service network.

“Most dealers started with Hitachi between 2003 and 2004, which means each one is responsible for machines that are now up to six years old. They will, of course, require parts and service. We explain to dealers that product support is also very important to expand their businesses.”

For HCSF to achieve its aim of expanding the Hitachi presence in the French market, its ongoing support of dealers is vital. To highlight this special relationship, Ground Control visited Hitachi dealers Prowimat and Teramat, which cover the two largest cities outside Paris, Marseille and Lyon, and their surrounding regions. Both companies were set up to do business with Hitachi in 2003 and are still in the process of expansion.

It may take time for France to equal the market share of the other leading European markets, but Mr Fujisawa has confidence in his team and the dealer network: “We can’t wave a magic wand to double our market share overnight. It will take time, and we are making a big effort to do it gradually. The opportunities and possibilities for growth are promising. HCSF is a young company and has a capable, strong team.”

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1. Prowimat hosts annual open days at its depot in Saint Martin de Crau2. The depot houses a 700m2 workshop3. DSD Démolition’s Hitachi excavators at work on a main route through Marseille4. Prowimat Managing Director Pascal Widmer (right) with Brahim El Hadri, Managing Director of DSD Démolition

After-sales service is keyProwimat has been an exclusive Hitachi dealer for six years in the south of France. Its recently extended territory now stretches from the Italian Alps, along the Mediterranean coastline to the Spanish border.

“Most of our customers are general construction contractors, rental firms, demolition and quarrying companies,” says Prowimat Managing Director Pascal Widmer.

One of its customers, DSD Démolition, is currently demolishing the A55 motorway bridge in Marseille. It has four Hitachi excavators, a ZX250LCN-3, ZX350LC, ZX350LCN-3 and ZX470LCH-3, working round the clock to complete the task within three months.

“The main benefit of these Hitachi machines to our business is reliability,” says DSD Démolition Managing Director Brahim El Hadri. “However, the second most important factor is the after-sales service provided by Prowimat.

“We had some minor problems with our machines when they were working in Grenoble and Toulouse, which lie outside Prowimat’s territory. But we called them and they were able to organise the repair rapidly.”

In the absence of one national Hitachi dealer, Prowimat must convince customers that the level of after-sales service will be consistently high across the country.

“Customers with national accounts have two concerns: will machines working outside our territory receive the same service; and will spare parts be more expensive in a different region?” says Pascal.

“We can manage all repairs and servicing for our customers. We decide if it is possible to go ourselves, or ask one of our neighbouring dealers, such as Teramat, to fix it.”

In addition to providing a high level of after-sales service, Prowimat is also aware of the need to build relationships with its customers – particularly as a young company. Similar to the My

HITACHI Experience event (see page 5), Prowimat hosts annual open days at its depot in Saint Martin de Crau.

“The first event was in September 2004 to inaugurate the office and workshop,” says Pascal. Prowimat invites 200 customers over two days to test-drive and watch demonstrations of Hitachi excavators and wheel loaders in its display area. Food and drink are also provided, and entertainment, too.

“Last year, we invited a world champion mountain bike trials rider to jump from one mini excavator to another,” says Pascal. “I’m already thinking about what to do next year.”

Such events cost thousands of euros to organise, but is it worth the investment? “Sales are not the first goal, although we do sometimes take orders on the day,” says Pascal. “The main aim is succeeding to build strong relationships with our customers.”

In order for Hitachi to increase its market share in France, Prowimat must also expand. It plans to open a workshop in Hérault next year, and is proactive in promotional activities to help boost sales.

“We are always thinking of ways to get a bigger share of the cake. With the sale of a mini excavator, for example, we will offer a free Hitachi work tool or plasma screen. These products share the same values: quality, reliability and productivity.”

Widening its range of wheel loaders would also help Hitachi to broaden its appeal, says Pascal. ”When we convince customers to order an excavator, it’s a good opportunity to introduce other Hitachi products. Otherwise the customer will go to a competitor.”

However, Pascal knows that development of a full range of machines takes time. “It’s important that Hitachi does not rush products to market,” he concludes. “When they do become available, they are just right.”

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Perfect partnersTeramat was established six years ago after Hitachi acquired Furukawa, a leading Japanese manufacturer of wheel loaders. The two brands were perfect partners for the development of the new company. Managing Director Damien Roudet says, “Initially, Furukawa represented 80 per cent of Teramat’s turnover, but now Hitachi accounts for 80 per cent.”

The dealer is responsible for an area equal to the size of The Netherlands. It begins at the Massif Central mountains in the west to the Alps in the east and includes the Rhone Valley. It has two branches, one in Savoie and another in Genas, near Lyon, which will be replaced by a custom-built 2,000m² sales office and workshop in Heyrieux this summer.

Outgrowing its current office and workspace is also a good indication of the company’s financial growth. “Since 2003, Teramat’s sales have increased from nine to 14million euros,” says Damien.

He plans to organise a huge open day for the new depot, similar to the My HITACHI Experience event (see page 5). “I took five customers to the event, who all really enjoyed it,” he continues. “They tried the new models, and spent some invaluable time with Teramat and Hitachi personnel. It reinforced their faith in the Hitachi brand.”

Teramat’s customers are involved in a variety of industries. “In quarrying and waste recycling, customers require a full service from Teramat,” says Damien. “This is where we can offer added value.”

One of Teramat’s earliest customers, Delmonico Dorel has three quarries situated along the Rhone. They provide materials for a six-hectare stockyard in Sablons, which distributes 56 different types of aggregates to construction companies in the region.

Delmonico Dorel has three Hitachi ZW310 wheel loaders, which

bring different benefits to each of its sites. At the quarry, it is extremely versatile and can be used for loading dump trucks and waste disposal.

At the yard, Site Manager Jean-Pierre Lotti says the ZW310 is the perfect combination of size, power and speed. “Other brands are either too big and slow, or too small for this site, but the ZW310 has the right balance. It can climb uphill, even when fully loaded, and it is also more comfortable than other competing models.”

The main reason why the family-run firm decided to buy Hitachi ZW wheel loaders was due to the strong 30-year working relationship between President Bernard Delmonico and Teramat Sales Manager Gilles Reynard.

Teramat’s partnership with Hitachi is equally strong. It offers a full range of Hitachi machines, from mini to large excavators, wheel loaders and dump trucks. It is also in tune with HCSF and wants to make after-sales service a priority for the future.

“We want to be recognised as the provider of the best after-sales service in the Rhone-Alps area,” concludes Damien. “That is part of the pledge that we make to our customers with the backing of HCSF and Hitachi.”

1. Waste materials at Delmonico Dorel’s largest quarry are used to restore the land to its natural state2. The ZW310 at the Delmonico Dorel stockyard in Sablons3. Teramat Sales Manager Cyril Fessy (left) and Delmonico Dorel Site Manager Jean-Pierre Lotti4. The Savoie branch of Teramat

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A CHANGE OF DIRECTION FOR ANY BUSINESS IS A CHALLENGE, BUT RESTORING AN ESTABLISHED LIMESTONE QUARRY WOULD BE BEYOND MOST. HOWEVER, THIS IS WHAT SWISS ENTERPRISE CARRIèRES DU LESSUS ACHIEVED 15 YEARS AGO THANKS TO THE VISION OF OWNER LUC BRIQUET. Ground Control INVESTIGATES HOW ONE MAN SHAPED THE DESTINY OF NOT JUST HIS OWN COMPANY, BUT THAT OF A WHOLE INDUSTRY

Time for change

Switzerland is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countries in Europe and the route between Geneva and Montreux is

spectacular. Montreux lies on the north-east shore of Lake Geneva at the foot of the Alps in the canton of Vaud. The municipality is best known for its annual jazz festival and strong links to such heavy metal/rock legends as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Queen.

It therefore seems appropriate that only 20km from such an inspirational musical retreat is the quarry owned by Carrières du Lessus. Thanks to the entrepreneurial skills of owner Luc Briquet, the business is now famed for its own brand of hard rock and precious metal.

The quarry – near the small village of St Triphon – has been handed down through three generations of the Briquet family. Opened by Luc’s grandfather in 1930, the site was an invaluable source of limestone for the construction of roads and buildings. However, this practice was curtailed in 1994 when the regional authorities removed the company’s right to excavate the stone.

Luc has an engaging personality with a sense of humour to match. His enthusiasm for the site is clear and he is proud of the historical significance that it holds for his family. This passion has extended

far beyond the balance sheet to the blood, sweat and tears that have been exerted in the quarry.

He has kept the original site office intact beside the main entrance. It is now used by a local sculptress as a base for her small business and serves as a useful reminder of all the people who have worked there in the past.

“I had to rethink our business strategy when I knew that the quarry had to close,” he explains. “I needed to find another way to continue the family story here and look towards other potential interests.”

Carrières du Lessus was obliged to refill the quarry and restore the countryside to its natural beauty. This helped the company to receive authorisation for the disposal of regular construction materials such as stone, bricks and concrete. However, Luc also had the idea to obtain waste materials for the same purpose.

In Switzerland, all combustible non-recycled waste must be incinerated in appropriate plants. The majority of these materials end up in one of the country’s 28 municipal solid waste incinerators. This became law in 2000 and within four years the incineration capacity had reached 3.29million tonnes.

One of these facilities is on the doorstep of Carrières du Lessus. In

1. Carrières du Lessus is situated at the foot of the Alps and close to Lake Geneva2. The ZX350LC-3 working close to a heap of ashes from the incineration plant3. The ZW250 operating at the recycling site4. Friends and business acquaintances: Luc Briquet (left) and Probst Maveg Sales Manager Gaston Monney

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light of the decision to close the quarry, Luc applied for permission to process the incinerated waste in 1993. The authorisation was received within three years and this enabled the company to start the transition between quarrying and recycling/waste disposal.

Carrières du Lessus used to employ up to 16 people, but numbers have been reduced as the business has developed. Eight men now work on the site, and two full-time and one part-time members of staff work in the site office. This, however, has not had a negative effect on turnover – sales have increased by 500 per cent during the past 15 years!

Luc puts these amazing statistics down to the purchase of bigger and better construction machinery. “Everyone works hard,” he explains. “We could have a larger workforce at our disposal, but in my opinion it is better to have fewer people. We have invested in larger excavators and wheel loaders, which enable one person to do the work of two operators using smaller machines.”

The current ratio of waste management turnover to recycling is 70:30, so Luc’s idea has grown to become the main business activity for Carrières du Lessus since the turn of the century. The all-important income comes from the retrieval of different sizes of iron and metal that have survived the incineration process and are hidden among the remaining ashes.

“The key to the waste business is that we don’t want to throw everything away,” he reveals. “Our aim is to extract the iron, copper and aluminium, and then sell it on to our customers in France.

“One factory near Paris transforms the aluminium and copper pieces into bars for onward transportation to America, where they are utilised in the manufacture of Toyota cars for example. The iron goes to the north of France to be transformed into girders used in offshore construction.”

Carrières du Lessus has an exclusive agreement with its local incineration plant for all burnt materials. These are transported either by train or truck directly to the site, where they are left to dry for two to three weeks. The ashes are loaded on to a crusher by a Hitachi ZX470LCH-3 excavator and then pass through an electro-magnetic field to extract larger pieces of iron from the debris.

The next stage of the process separates the smaller and larger materials so that two further magnetic devices can remove any aluminium, copper and other metal. The remaining waste runs off the end of the two conveyor belts into large piles before it is dumped into the former quarry.

One of the hills has already been restored to its former glory and there are two more expanses of land to fill. The waste is emptied on top of some tough waterproof material to ensure that there is no leakage. It has pipes running through it to extract any moisture, which acts as a drainage system all the way through to Lake Geneva. The water is tested for traces of pollution, but in ten years none has been found.

“The danger of pollution is the main reason why we only accept materials that have been incinerated at a high temperature,” says Luc. “We transport 40-50,000 tonnes of waste every year, but it would be difficult to gauge how much iron and metal we extract. This figure would differ on a daily basis and it really depends on the luck of the game!

“We can continue working in this way for another 15 years, but the time span depends on many things. We are currently carrying out some tests to identify if we can do anything else with the waste. There are certain limitations in Switzerland, but more opportunities exist in France and Spain, so we must find out what’s possible.

“Other incineration plants are trying to copy our idea, but so far not as effectively as us. I am not happy about this, but what can I do? When something is new, they always try to copy you – just like children. However, I’m not interested in receiving awards or major recognition. For me, to be happy is to be hidden!”

The supply of materials for the recycling business is brought from the region’s railway company to the site by the Carrières du Lessus locomotive. The carriages tip the stone into a loading bay and the Hitachi ZX180W material handling machine – the first of its type in Switzerland – removes the larger rocks.

The Hitachi ZW250 and ZW310 wheel loaders then distribute the stone around the site for the recycling process. Some rocks have to be broken down before all materials are separated into different

“I have seen for myself the high levels of discipline and organisation in the Hitachi factory in Japan, and that’s one of the reasons why Hitachi is such a strong brand”

1. The ZX470LCH-3 prepares to load the crusher at the start of the extraction process2. The ZW310 and ZX470LCH-3 prepare the dry ashes for the crusher

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sizes and washed before onward transportation to drainage, road and industrial railway projects.

Luc is also proud of his company’s achievements in this area of the business: “We have been awarded ISO14001, which is good for our image and provides a form of guarantee that everything is done legally. Legislation has also been passed to ensure that recycled stone is utilised as much as possible in Switzerland.”

The dynamic black and green Carrières du Lessus logo (see opposite) has been specially designed to show that the stone/waste is unhappy when it first arrives. However, the mood of the materials turns into happiness after the recycling/extraction processes are complete.

Luc is quick to point out that the company’s success would not be possible without the support of partners such as Probst Maveg, the Swiss distributor of Hitachi construction machinery.

“Our history with Hitachi is all about excavators,” he smiles. “Our first model was a second-hand 45-tonne UH171, which we bought in 1988. Then we bought a new EX330, which was also very good, so we felt that there was no need to change. Other machines in our fleet have included an EX165 and EX17.

“They have all been sold now and replaced with the new generation of Zaxis excavators. Our policy is to replace the machines after 3,000 or 4,000 hours. Technology moves forward every three or four years and our aim is to benefit from all the latest advanced features. This also helps with the resale value, of course.

“The quality of the Zaxis range is very good. They are well finished, reliable and comfortable for our operators. I am very happy with the service we receive from Managing Director Jean-Marc Probst, Sales Manager Gaston Monney and the rest of the team at Probst Maveg. We have a strong relationship, which is based on many years of friendship as well as business.

“Overall, it’s a winning combination. I have seen for myself the high levels of discipline and organisation in the Hitachi factory

in Japan, and that’s one of the reasons why Hitachi is such a strong brand.”

With a limited time span for Carrières du Lessus’s current activities, what does the future hold for this family firm? It is a specialist business that perhaps needs to be expanded before it can move on to the next level. This is certainly Luc’s view.

“We must explore new avenues in the recycling industry and there are many more opportunities,” he reveals. “These may or may not lie in Switzerland and it might be a good idea to introduce what we have learnt into other countries, perhaps even on a consultancy basis.

“Whatever happens, the secret of our success is hard work! My grandfather was an entrepreneur and I’m like him in many ways. He was from the German region of Switzerland and moved to the French part, which was an unusual thing to do at that time. But he did this, even though he couldn’t speak the language!

“I prefer to work alone in an independent and individual way. I like to take responsibility and make things happen. I may have many ideas, but there are only a few good ones. I try lots of new things because of my curiosity and interest to find a solution. I don’t think that this exists in many people.”

Luc’s strength of character and vision have undoubtedly been the driving forces behind Carrières du Lessus. This small, yet highly effective operation is making a huge difference to the region through innovation. Such an approach to business should be applauded in the current environmental and economic climates as the construction and other industries are forced to look to the future.

1. The ZW310 shows its versatility in the stockyard2. The ZX22U-2’s zero-tail swing is essential for working between the rock face and the deep expanse of the former quarry3. The incineration plant that supplies Carrières du Lessus with burnt ashes4. The ZX180W offloads the larger rocks and stone from the train carriages

Please visit www.myHITACHIexperience.com for more job site reports and customer interviews incorporating a wide range of Hitachi construction machinery across Europe, the Middle East and Africa

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Carrières du Lessus model line-up

ZX350LC-3

n Order signed in highest building in Shanghai on 20/11/06n Hitachi logo removed from counterweight and replaced with Chinese characters for “Shanghai”n Delivered on 13/02/07n 1,052 working hoursn Special swing 1.64m3 bucket with hydraulic motor for working in watern Bucket turns 45 degrees to both sides for shaping slopes and other precise workn Standard 1.87m3 bucket

ZX180W

n Delivered on 28/03/06n 868 working hoursn Material handling machinen Raised cab with linkagen First machine of its type in Switzerlandn Special ASM bucket

n Delivered on 15/06/07n 2,160 working hoursn Two conventional buckets (0.7m3/0.53m3)n One swing mechanism 0.63m³ bucket with quick coupler

ZX130W

ZX470LCH-3

n Delivered on 07/11/07n 1,245 working hoursn Standard 2.51m3 bucket with reinforced steel n Suitable for hard and abrasive rocks in this area n Interchangeable attachments with ZX350LC-3n Close distance between the attachment and coupler

ZX22U-2

n Delivered on 28/07/08n 42 working hoursn Quick couplern Two standard buckets (0.048m3/0.079m3)

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SPECIAL FOCUS


The polymetallic deposits of Kuusilampi and Kolmisoppi are situated 3km apart over a 61km² area in a largely uninhabited

part of Kainuu in the east of Finland. They are located beneath forest land approximately 35km south-east of Kajaani.

The Geographical Survey of Finland carried out a detailed exploration of this area between 1977 and 1983. Outokumpu plc was granted mining licences for these deposits, but decided that the project wasn’t economically viable using conventional extraction techniques and sold its rights to the Talvivaara Mining Company Limited (TMC) for €1 and a 20 per cent stake in the business in February 2004.

TMC continued Outokumpu’s work and completed a feasibility study by raising €7million from institutional and strategic investors in November 2005. Secondary fundraising raised a further €33million 11 months later.

This helped to accelerate development and TMC was granted a pioneering environmental permit on 29 March 2007. The construction of the mine started straightaway – with up to 1,500 workers between May and July 2008, it became the second largest industrial project in Finland.

During the first half of 2007, the senior project finance facility of $320million was committed and the €302million IPO (initial public offering) smashed records on the London Stock Exchange.

Set-up costs of €450million have been earmarked for the first two years: €100million on earthmoving; €100million on construction; €150million on processing equipment; and €100million on machinery.

“TMC was a relatively small company in 2006 with only ten people working on the feasibility study,” highlights Chief Operating Officer

1. The first EX3600-6 in Northern Europe towers above the vast expanse of the Talvivaara mine2. From left to right: Timo Rahkama (Rotator), Thomas Åhman (Rotator), Malcolm Edwards (HCME) and Jari Salomäki (Rotator)

GROUND CONTROL

And the wheels keep moving…THE TALVIVAARA MINING COMPANY IS EMBARKING ON THE LARGEST NEW MINING PROJECT IN FINLAND. IT IS ASSEMBLING A HUGE TEAM OF PEOPLE, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH MANY NEW SUPPLIERS AND RELYING ON THE BEST MINING EQUIPMENT THAT MONEY CAN BUY. IN AUGUST 2008, Ground Control INSPECTED TWO RECENT DELIVERIES FROM THE HITACHI FACTORY IN JAPAN: A UNIQUE EH3500ACII DUMP TRUCK AND THE FIRST EX3600-6 EXCAVATOR TO BE DELIVERED IN NORTHERN EUROPE

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1. The EX3600-6 will load the dump truck fleet with 15million tonnes of materials to meet the production target2. The world’s first EH3500ACII travels along the 3.2km haul route from the in-pit crushing facility3. The truck dumps its valuable load at the primary collection point and transfer station

Lassi Lammassaari. “The job site didn’t start in earnest until 2007 and it has grown and will continue to grow at a phenomenal rate.”

The company’s main activity is the development and exploitation of nickel sulphide from Kuusilampi and Kolmisoppi. It does this by bioheapleaching technology, an energy-efficient and comparatively environmentally friendly method based on the utilisation of locally occurring bacteria and water as leaching agents.

This enables the economic extraction of nickel from low grade ore and is already widely used for other metals. The process generates heat and is therefore suitable for Finland’s sub-arctic climate.

The deposits are also well suited for open mining due to the thin overburden, favourable resource geometry and low average waste to ore ratio of 1.5/1. These characteristics enable TMC to have relatively low capital and operational costs, and make it less susceptible to price variations of commodities.

Kuusilampi and Kolmisoppi make up one of Europe’s largest nickel sulphide resources with 336million tonnes in measured and indicated categories. TMC has the potential to provide 2.3 per cent of global primary nickel production when it is fully operational at 100 per cent capacity in 2010.

The process involves mining, crushing, bioheapleaching and metals recovery. Open-pit mining enables approximately 15million tonnes of materials to be extracted per year.

Primary crushing commenced on 1 July 2008, with the secondary and tertiary crushing, agglomeration and provisional stacking operational just over two weeks later. Bioheapleaching had also commenced with inoculation and irrigation of the starter heap.

Production started at the end of 2008 and will continue for 24

years at an annual nickel output of 33,000 tonnes. The mine is also expected to produce 60,000 tonnes of zinc, 10,000 tonnes of copper and 1,200 tonnes of cobalt as by-products of the process.

At the time of Ground Control’s visit in August 2008, TMC employed 200 people on the site. This number is scheduled to double by 2010, which is welcome news for local communities with relatively high unemployment levels.

Finland provides TMC with favourable subsidy policies, and a stable economic and political environment. The company also benefits from the close proximity of existing energy and transportation infrastructure, and potential customers.

Metal intermediaries and companies with metal refining operations will be targeted by TMC. It has already entered into a ten-year agreement with Norilsk Nickel for the entire output of the mine’s nickel and cobalt production at market prices.

Most of the major equipment orders were made during the first half of 2007 with deliveries scheduled typically 12 to 18 months later. All significant supply contracts were awarded to internationally renowned companies, such as Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME).

Hitachi is the main supplier of heavy mining machinery in partnership with Rotator, HCME’s Finnish distributor since 1983. The HCME proposal recommended the initial order of an EX3600-6 excavator and two EH3500ACII dump trucks. Two additional EH3500ACIIs were then ordered due to changes in the mining operation – the third was operational in October 2008 and the fourth was scheduled for delivery and to be operational in early 2009.

The EX3600-6 was launched in 2007, but the EH3500ACII was

only introduced last summer. At the time of Ground Control’s visit, the first dump truck was working and the second was being assembled. These are the first units delivered to a customer anywhere in the world.

TMC’s Mining Manager Arto Suokas first contacted Rotator’s construction machinery sales team of Pertti Vainio and Jari Salomäki, after researching the Hitachi product range online. Having worked on a large mine in Australia, Arto knew of the EX excavators and EH dump trucks’ reputation. The first meeting between all interested parties was held at HCME in Amsterdam in early 2006.

“The attitude and approach of Hitachi – through Rotator and HCME – have been excellent since day one,” says Arto. “The decision criteria were lifetime cost, reliability, performance/output, and local support, and with Hitachi all the boxes were ticked.”

The EX3600-6 and EH3500ACII were initially difficult to sell in as a package, explains Rotator’s Managing Director, Thomas Åhman: “There was relevant data on the same type of excavator, but the dump trucks didn’t exist at the time. So, we had to convince TMC of the EH3500ACII’s compatibility with the EX3600-6 and its suitability for a project of this scale.

“The HCME presentations showed reduced running costs and explained the advanced technology inherent within both models, but we couldn’t physically show them any EH3500ACII trucks working in Europe. However, they were at the beginning of their respective life cycles, so there would be no model changes during the period of supply. This was an important factor for after-sales support.”

HCME’s Area Manager Heavy & Mining Equipment Malcolm Edwards was instrumental in providing TMC with enough statistical

data to convince them that Hitachi had the best machines for the project. “As no mine existed, it was extremely important to gather as much information as possible so that Hitachi could make an informed machinery recommendation to TMC,” he explains.

“This would consist of the annual production targets for waste and ore rock, length of the haul roads, proposed grade of the haul roads, travel speed limits, weather conditions, work schedule, planned maintenance schedule etc. This base information would then change as the mine develops and production increases each year.

“The Hitachi software system was then able to calculate and optimise the total machinery requirement for production and cost effectiveness. This also allows long-term mining flexibility for TMC. The study was crucial for TMC and also overcame the fact that Hitachi was introducing the new EH3500ACII truck to the market.”

After the order had been secured, Rotator started recruiting. “We currently have 14 experienced staff, including technicians, a parts specialist and a foreman,” says Thomas. “They are managed by Jari Wikstrom and supported by our technical and parts departments.”

Rotator has maintenance programmes in place with TMC over a five-year period. “We have an open approach, so the estimated cost proposals can be reviewed according to conditions,” continues Thomas. “This is new ground for us, so we must use our recently gained knowledge if any new opportunities arise.

“The key factor is to develop excellent relationships. Our role is to ensure that TMC is happy with the local support they receive. We need to check that we are entering into the relationship with the right level of resources.

“The real challenge for everyone concerned is that the site will

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SPECIAL FOCUS

Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV 37GROUND CONTROL

still be operational in 25-35 years. So, if we are successful from the outset, then we will be able to secure this business for the future.”

TMC has already built a workshop and washing facility to help keep the Hitachi machines working in some of the toughest working conditions. Rotator personnel have received extensive training and there has been a huge investment in special tooling and equipment. The workshop can take up to four dump trucks for routine servicing and maintenance work. The most challenging time will be winter when temperatures sink lower than -35°C – the level at which all work will stop at the mine.

TMC Maintenance Co-ordinator Juha Kilpeläinen works closely with Rotator’s product support team. “I am very satisfied with the project to date,” he enthuses. “It’s important that Rotator is based here with all of the major parts and consumables close to hand. There are even some spare engines here just in case we need them! All of the parts for the first year are already in stock thanks to the recommendations made by Hitachi.

“This level of expertise at our disposal really helps and means we’re self-sufficient. There are so many new personnel working here that we need to build an all-encompassing culture. This will help us to focus on the key aims and objectives, and how we can be successful.”

Each dump truck is delivered from the port to TMC on 17 trailers. It takes up to ten technicians two to three weeks to assemble each unit. Two engineers from Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. (HCM) supervised the installation of the first unit and trained the assembly team from Rotator.

The body is the last component to be fitted. The heavy duty unit comes in two pieces with an additional 13 tonnes of wear plates fitted during the assembly process to withstand the rigours of the abrasive materials excavated in the mine.

Canadian Jacek Karwowski, HCM’s Field Test and Support Manager, has also been an integral part of the assembly process in Finland. His specialist product knowledge and direct communication with the factory have also helped with the initiation of the new machine.

“The EH3500ACII has taken around four years to develop and – unlike its predecessor – is a 100 per cent Hitachi product,” he explains. “It features AC Drive system technology, which has been used by Hitachi for many years in electric trains. This will deliver better performance with a higher top speed and stronger braking.

“There is also no maintenance and a high level of reliability associated with the brushless AC Drive traction motors. The new LCD displays in the cab with monitoring technology have been derived from Hitachi EX mining excavators. The overall benefits to TMC will therefore include increased productivity combined with reduced running and maintenance costs.”

In practice, the EX3600-6 makes four passes per truck load, which equates to approximately 156 tonnes of materials. The initial haul is 3.2km from the in-pit crushing facility to the primary collection point and transfer station. The fixed primary crushing plant is due for commissioning in early 2009 when the haul distance will be drastically reduced.

There are five operators working over the same number of shifts for both the EH3500ACII and EX3600-6. The targeted number of working hours is estimated to be between 6,600 and 7,000 per year.

The Hitachi mining machines seem to be an ideal combination for TMC. “Everything is going well and we are happy with the service we have received from Hitachi and Rotator,” confirms Lassi.

“We are hoping to see a good level of performance, then increase the size of the fleet as the project gathers pace. We will know more

about the machines’ productivity and durability when the pit is fully operational, but everything is going in the right direction.”

Everyone working on the site has certainly embraced the project, which is a credit to TMC and how they have embarked on a journey that may take more than three decades to complete. HCME and Rotator will play key roles as the whole operation focuses on working to full capacity. Indeed, it seems that the Finnish dealer’s strapline, “And the wheels keep moving”, is not only symbolic of the EH3500ACIIs, but also TMC’s mission of becoming the future of European mining.

Talvivaara Mining Company model line-up

EX3600-6

n Delivered in July 2008n 1,942 working hoursn MST heavy duty rock bucket (20.65m3)n Excavating 15million tonnes per annum

EH3500ACII

n Delivered in August 2008n 1,682 working hoursn Fitted with heavy duty liner packagen Four cameras and two colour LCD screensn One of four delivered to TMC

1. TMC’s Chief Operating Officer Lassi Lammassaari is happy with the Hitachi/Rotator service2. TMC’s Mining Manager Arto Suokas: “With Hitachi all the boxes were ticked”3. TMC Maintenance Co-ordinator Juha Kilpeläinen (right) pictured with

Rotator’s Jan Wikstrom4. The Rotator assembly team fitting the heavy duty liner package to

the EH3500ACII 5. The second EH3500ACII being assembled in August 20086. HCM’s Jacek Karwowski checks data on the world’s first EH3500ACII

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3938 Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV GROUND CONTROL

Dealer listEUROPE

ALBANIA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA,CROATIA, MACEDONIA, MALTA, MONTENEGRO, SERBIA, SLOVENIASCAI S.p.A.06083 OSPEDALICCHIO - BASTIA UMBRA (PG) ITALYT : +39 075801501F : +39 0758010142

AUSTRIABaumaschinen Handel GmbH 1140 VIENNA T : +43 157722880F : +43 1577228813

AZERBAIJANAgrointer GM1122 BAKU T : +994 124306070

BELGIUMFirma Luyckx N.V./S.A. 2960 BRECHTT : +32 33139551F : +32 33139040

Elsen Traktor NV COMPACT LINE3130 BETEKOMT : +32 16566544F : +32 16566512

Eurosupply Hoogwerksystemen BV AERIAL PLATFORM4782 PZ MOERDIJKNETHERLANDST : +31 168329331F : +31 168327730

BULGARIAZ&M Private Ltd. 1000 SOFIAT : +359 29888657F : +359 29816129

CYPRUSUnitrak Machinery Ltd. 6301 LARNACAT : +357 24635488F : +357 24641346

CZECH REPUBLICKohlschein spol s r.o.619 00 BRNOT : +420 547212505F : +420 547212271

DENMARKH.P. Entreprenørmaskiner A/S 4632 BJÆVERSKOVT : +45 56871010F : +45 56871214

ESTONIALaadur OÜ11415 TALLINNT : +372 6053600F : +372 6053601

FINLANDRotator Oy33961 PIRKKALAT : +358 32874111F : +358 32653760

FRANCEHitachi Construction MachinerySales and Services France SAS 92441 ISSY-LES-MOULINEAUX CEDEX T : +33 158042572F : +33 158042648

ALMAT S.A.COMPACT LINE66700 ARGELES SUR MER T : +33 468811213F : +33 468815666

B2MTP06510 CARROST : +33 493082000F : +33 493087462

BoudesCOMPACT LINE12100 MILLAUT : +33 565600695F : +33 565590600

BTP Service64300 ORTHEZT : +33 559670363F : +33 559672757

Burckel Matériel de Travaux Publics S.A. 67330 OBERMODERNT : +33 388908063F : +33 388908605

Cobemat35513 CESSON-SEVIGNE CEDEX T : +33 299834444F : +33 299834344

Flandres Equipement 62223 ST LAURENT BLANGY T : +33 321599081F : +33 321730203

Locasud S.A.COMPACT LINE81000 ALBIT : +33 563476969F : +33 563476414

Payen77540 ROZAY EN BRIET : +33 164427474F : +33 164077789

Prodimat SAS 21800 CRIMOLOIST : +33 380320480F : +33 380329710

Prowimat SAS 13310 ST-MARTIN-DE-CRAU T : +33 490478190F : +33 490478192

Rouen Matériel T.P. 76380 DIEPPEDALLE-CROISSET T : +33 232830083F : +33 232831383

SMTL19330 SAINT GERMAIN LES VERGNES T : +33 555293200F : +33 555294222

SorematCOMPACT LINE51430 TINQUEUXT : +33 326081206F : +33 326087140

Sud Espace T.P. 81800 RABASTENST : +33 563402640F : +33 563402644

Teramat69742 GENAST : +33 472794470F : +33 472794479

VSM/ASM86130 ST GEORGES LES BAILLARGEAUX T : +33 549625717F : +33 549525741

GERMANYHitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV German Office64589 STOCKSTADT/RHEINT : +49 6158822390F : +49 61588223939

Kiesel GmbH Firmenzentrale88255 BAIENFURT/RAVENSBURG T : +49 75150040F : +49 751500460

Kiesel Berobau GmbH & Co. KG31139 HILDESHEIM-SORSUMT : +49 512160030F : +49 5121600321

Kiesel Berobau GmbH & Co. KG49808 LINGEN (EMS)T : +49 59180080F : +49 591800810

Kiesel Koops GmbH 22525 HAMBURGT : +49 40543939F : +49 405405046

Kiesel Mitte GmbH64589 STOCKSTADT/RHEINT : +49 615882300F : +49 61588230177

Kiesel Ost GmbH 01156 DRESDENT : +49 35145320F : +49 351453260

Kiesel Süd GmbH 88255 BAIENFURT/RAVENSBURG T : +49 75150040F : +49 751500460

Kiesel Südost GmbH 85386 ECHING BEI MÜNCHENT : +49 8165647360F : +49 81656473642

Kiesel Ungeheuer GmbH 76227 KARLSRUHET : +49 721949302F : +49 7219493252

Kiesel West GmbH50354 HÜRTH-BERRENRATHT : +49 223339460F : +49 22333946111

Bausetra Potsdam GmbH14478 POTSDAMT : +49 33188780F : +49 3318878155

Bax Baumaschinen GmbH 34582 BORKENT : +49 568270870F : +49 5682708722

BLT Bau- und Landtechnik GmbH 04916 HERZBERGT : +49 3535400924F : +49 3535400919

BRR Baumaschinen Rhein-Ruhr GmbH 44625 ESSENT : +49 23256360000F : +49 23256360099

BTS Bautechnik-Service GmbH 17192 WARENT : +49 399162120F : +49 3991621215

KLP-Baumaschinen GmbH 95326 KULMBACHT : +49 9221801110F : +49 92218011122

Scholz GmbH 08233 TREUEN/VOGTLAND T : +49 374686320F : +49 3746863214

Stoll Baumaschinen GmbH 66564 OTTWEILER/FÜRTH T : +49 6858348F : +49 68586102

Weigel-Bautechnik GmbH 99444 BLANKENHAINT : +49 3645961864F : +49 3645961879

GREECEAtlas Hellas S.A. 104 47 ATHENST : +30 2103469696F : +30 2103474428

Ergotrak S.A.145 10 KIFISSIAT : +30 2106293400F : +30 2106201845

HUNGARYKohlschein Hungary Ltd. 2370 DABAST : +36 29560820F : +36 29560821

ICELANDÍshlutir ehf.270 MOSFELLSBAERT : +354 5752400F : +354 5752401

IRELANDHM Plant Ltd. HEBBURN, TYNE AND WEAR NE31 2JZ UNITED KINGDOMT : +44 1914308400F : +44 1914308500

ITALYSCAI S.p.A.06083 OSPEDALICCHIO - BASTIA UMBRA (PG) T : +39 075801501F : +39 0758010142

KAZAKHSTAN, KYRGYZSTAN, UZBEKISTAN Turkuaz Machinery Ltd. 050016 ALMATYKAZAKHSTANT : +7 3272731995F : +7 3272731568

LATVIALaadur Baltic CIA 1002 RIGAT : +371 7500176F : +371 7500177

LITHUANIALaadur Baltija UAB 02189 VILNIUST : +370 52159672F : +370 52159674

LUXEMBOURGElsen Traktor NV COMPACT LINE3130 BETEKOMBELGIUMT : +32 16566544F : +32 16566512

Eurosupply Hoogwerksystemen BV AERIAL PLATFORM4782 PZ MOERDIJKNETHERLANDST : +31 168329331F : +31 168327730

HSB LUX S.à r.l. 5485 WORMELDANGE-HAUT T : +352 26747020F : +352 26747021

NETHERLANDSHitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV Domestic Dealer4903 RH OOSTERHOUTT : +31 162484400F : +31 162484440

Eurosupply Hoogwerksystemen BV AERIAL PLATFORM4782 PZ MOERDIJKT : +31 168329331F : +31 168327730

NORWAYNanset Standard AS 3271 LARVIK T : +47 33132600F : +47 33114552

POLANDTONA Sp. z o.o. 41-946 PIEKARY SLASKIET : +48 322899533F : +48 323870229

PORTUGALMoviter Equipamentos Lda. 2400-823 LEIRIAT : +351 244850240F : +351 244850241

ROMANIASC Star West Market Impex SRL 410605 ORADEAT : +40 259425224F : +40 259425225

RUSSIAHitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV Russia-CIS Office 107113 MOSCOWT : +7 4959335133F : +7 4959335130

Tech Stroy Contract 125315 MOSCOWT : +7 4956096090F : +7 4956096090

SLOVAKIAAustro Slovakia s.r.o. 831 04 BRATISLAVAT : +421 244462692F : +421 244462693

SPAINHitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV Iberia Office24400 Ponferrada (LEÓN)T : +34 987428972

Hispano Japonesa de Maquinaria S.L. 24300 SAN ROMAN DE BEMBIBRE (LEÓN)T : +34 902210350F : +34 902210670

Intertrack & Expormac Corp. S.L. 38291 LOS BALDIOS - LA LAGUNA (TENERIFE) T : +34 922630633 / +34 922632801F : +34 922632737

Moviter Equipamentos Lda. 28022 MADRIDT : +34 913291819F : +34 913292517

Serex S.A.24560 TORAL DE LOS VADOS (LEÓN) T : +34 987545805F : +34 987544280

SWEDENDelvator AB241 38 ESLÖVT : +46 41369200F : +46 41369218

SWITZERLANDProbst Maveg AG 3250 LYSST : +41 323870808F : +41 323870802

UKRAINEEuromash Ltd .01013 KIEVT : +380 445457135F : +380 445457136

UNITED KINGDOMHM Plant Ltd. HEBBURN, TYNE AND WEAR NE31 2JZ T : +44 1914308400F : +44 1914308500

NRC Plant Ltd.CRANEs ORSETT, ESSEX RM16 3BX T : +44 1375361616 F : +44 1375361818

AFRICA

ALGERIADEMDISTRAL spa 16270 OUED SMAR (ALGER) T : +213 21513455F : +213 21513260

ANGOLA, BOTSWANA, GHANA, LESOTHO, MADAGASCAR, MALAWI, MOZAMBIQUE, NAMIBIA, TANZANIA, ZAMBIA, ZIMBABWEHitachi Construction Machinery Southern Africa Co. Ltd.1459 GAUTENGSOUTH AFRICAT : +27 118417700F : +27 119181835

BENIN, BURKINA FASO, BURUNDI, CAMEROON, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, CHAD, EQUATORIAL GUINEA, GABON, GAMBIA, GUINEA, GUINEA-BISSAU, IVORY COAST, LIBERIA, LIBYA, MALI, MAURITANIA, NIGER, NIGERIA, REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO, RWANDA, SENEGAL, SIERRA LEONE, TOGODemimpex-VRP S.A. 1130 BRUSSELSBELGIUMT : +32 27249067F : +32 27249060

CONGO, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ATC-Demaf KINSHASA - GOMBET : +243 818181721F : +243 8841693

EGYPTOrascom Trading S.A.E. GIZAT : +20 3015555F : +20 3034677

ETHIOPIAHagbes Pvt. Ltd. Co. ADDIS ABABAT : +251 1668654F : +251 1552233

IVORY COASTATC-Comafrique 01 BP 3727 ABIDJAN 01T : +225 21751610F : +225 21252204

MOROCCOEts Berenger BOUSKOURAT : +212 22592101F : +212 22592107

RWANDASOCOMERWA S.A.R.L. KIGALIT : +250 575678F : +250 573600

SOGERRWA-IMC S.A. KIGALIT : +250 578844F : +250 575177

SOUTH AFRICAHitachi Construction Machinery Southern Africa Co. Ltd.1459 GAUTENGT : +27 118417700F : +27 119181835

SUDANGolden Arrow Co., Ltd. KHARTOUMT : +249 1835733234F : +249 183471592

TUNISIASEIMA S.A.R.L. 1001 TUNIST : +216 71334923F : +216 71330177

MIDDLE EAST

BAHRAINYusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo W.L.L. MANAMAT : +973 220220F : +973 229122

IRANTouranto Co.11476 TEHRANT : +98 21228529316F : +98 2122846676

IRAQ, JORDAN, KUWAIT, LEBANON Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NVMiddle East CenterJEBEL ALI FREE ZONE DUBAIUNITED ARAB EMIRATEST : +971 48833352F : +971 48833368

OMANAl-Fairuz Trading & Contracting Company L.L.C. 113 MUSCAT T : +968 561399F : +968 561036

QATARObaikan Equipment & Service W.L.L. DOHAT : +974 4581001F : +974 4693451

SAUDI ARABIAOmar K. Al-Esayi Co. Ltd. RIYADHT : +966 14913270F : +966 14920215

SYRIAKarim Trading Establishment DAMASCUST : +963 113311901F : +963 113311903

TURKEYHitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV Middle East Center - Istanbul Office 80300 ZINCIRLIKUYU - ISTANBUL T : +90 2122753322F : +90 2122173465

Enka Pazarlama Ihracat Ithalat A.S. 81700 TUZLA-ISTANBULT : +90 2164466464F : +90 2163951340

UNITED ARAB EMIRATESHitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV Middle East CenterJEBEL ALI FREE ZONEDUBAIT : +971 48833352F : +971 48833368

Kanoo Machinery UAEDUBAIT : +971 43378400F : +971 43373660

YEMENEl Hussaini Motors Agencies HODEIDAHT : +967 23499812F : +967 2341530

Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV www.hcme.comSiciliëweg 5 – haven 5112 1045 AT Amsterdam The Netherlands T: +31-(0)20 44 76 700 F: +31-(0)20 33 44 045

The new Hitachi ZX14-3 has been developed using technology from larger Zaxis models. The advanced hydraulics and economical engine ensure that this mini excavator is smooth and easy to operate. It offers speed, power and precision to deliver increased productivity and excellent value for money. The ZX14-3 has introduced a new level of performance.

A new level ofperformance

See the new

ZX14-3 at Hall 6

K 030, 20-25 April

the driving force

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