WORLD PROSPECTS
WORLD PROSPECTS
Hitachi mining equipment goes direct in the Americas
In a major change in how Hitachi mining machines will be supplied to American markets , John Deere ’ s marketing arrangement for Hitachibranded construction excavators and mining equipment in the Americas that has been in place since 1988 is set to end effective March 2022 ; Hitachi will now assume distribution and support for these products covering the whole mining range up to the largest models – hydraulic excavators up to the EX8000 and mining trucks up to the EH5000 .
The main driver behind the move is to be able to provide the mining industry in the Americas with the latest digital , automation and future powertrain solutions directly plus leverage better in the region the expertise Hitachi-owned companies like Wenco , Bradken and H-E Parts . It also comes ahead of Hitachi ’ s plans to roll out its comprehensive ConSite ® Mine digital solution to support the operation of an entire mine .
Hitachi in Japan stated : “ Upon the dissolution of the alliance and starting from March 2022 , Hitachi Construction Machinery will be able to provide the newest products , technologies , and services directly to our customers through our independent dealer network , as part of the integrated Hitachi Construction Machinery Group activities throughout the North , Central and South American markets .”
It added : “ Hitachi Construction Machinery Group will offer direct sales and services of compact to construction – sized hydraulic excavators , ultra – large mining machines , and , in addition , wheel loaders , all of which are recognised globally for their excellence in performance and quality , in these markets .”
Going forward , Hitachi Construction Machinery will have Hitachi Construction Machinery Loaders America Inc ( with headquarters in Georgia , and Chairman of the Board Masaaki Hirose , which currently serves as the production and distribution base for Hitachi branded wheel loaders ) function as the hub of its activities in the Americas . Hitachi Construction Machinery will coordinate with the group companies in the region to build a new business structure .
With the end of the agreement with Deere , Hitachi Construction Machinery will
become able to work with existing dealers in North , Central and South America to strengthen and expand its network in the future and to proactively develop business for customers involved in mining operations across the American continents . “ Specifically , the Hitachi Construction Machinery Group ’ s activities , including the efforts we recently agreed to conduct with the ABB Group to achieve net zero emissions ” ( referring to their joint battery electric trolley assist mining truck project ) “ plus dump truck autonomous haulage system ( AHS ) for automated driving at mines , and autonomous operating technologies for ultra large mining excavators ” are drawing considerable attention from customers in the global mining market .
In addition to reducing CO 2 emissions , more sophisticated and complex mine – wide management is also a major challenge to its mining customers . Hitachi Construction Machinery is also scheduled to begin offering ConSite ® Mine on which it is working closely with Wenco International Mining Systems Ltd headquartered in Vancouver , Canada and headed up by President & CEO Andrew Pyne , a subsidiary “ which is one of the world ’ s leading engineering companies for the operation and management of increasingly complex mining trucks , to develop new and expanded customer service .”
In addition , it gives mining customers in the Americas better access to the technologies from Hitachi-owned Bradken Pty Ltd ( headquarters New South Wales , Australia ; CEO : Sean Winstone ), which manufactures wear parts and related components for mining equipment , as
well as H – E Parts International LLC ( headquarters : Atlanta , Georgia , USA ; CEO : Simon Pelletier ), which provides advanced maintenance services for mining , crushing , and construction machinery as well as being in the business of development , processing , and sales of components for mining equipment , both of which have a proven track record throughout the Americas markets . “ We will work with these group companies and the ABB Group to develop and cultivate markets together .”
In a related development , Wajax Corporation and Hitachi Construction Machinery Loaders America Inc have announced that , effective March 1 , 2022 , the companies plan to expand their current Canadian direct distribution relationship to include construction excavators , mining equipment and related aftermarket parts . Since 2001 , these products have been supplied to Wajax via the John Deere third – party joint venture partner to Hitachi Construction Machinery ( HCM ).
The expansion of the direct relationship between Wajax and Hitachi is expected to strengthen the competitive positioning of both companies in the Canadian construction and mining markets . Commenting on the change , Wajax ’ s President and CEO , Mark Foote , stated “ Hitachi is Wajax ’ s largest manufacturing business partner and a very important contributor to our strategy . We are very pleased that our direct relationship will be significantly strengthened . Working directly with our partners at Hitachi will provide Wajax with enhanced access to product development and improved market responsiveness . We look forward to building on this already strong partnership in the core markets of construction and mining , as well as in additional areas in the future .”
On behalf of Hitachi , Simon Wilson , Vice President of Sales , stated : “ Wajax is one of Hitachi ’ s largest and most successful independent distributors globally and has been a valued partner for over two decades . The Canadian market is key to Hitachi ’ s strategy , and we look forward to the benefits of an expanded direct relationship with Wajax as our national construction and mining partner . We believe this change will increase our market share by providing customers with products that lead the market in terms of value , performance and reliability .” www . hitachicm . com ; www . wajax . com
16 International Mining | SEPTEMBER 2021