Hitachi back to pre-quake production levels

Hitachi Construction Machinery says it is likely to return to full production capacity this week for the first time since the March 11 Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Five plants, all based in Ibaraki prefecture, were affected by the disaster. At the height of disruption, output fell to 60% of capacity.

The company added that it had returned to full production levels faster than it had first thought, and that this would help it meet increased demand for equipment due to the reconstruction efforts, as well as serving the booming markets of developing Asia.

The Japanese government has estimated that reconstruction could cost as much as JPY 25 trillion (US$ 305 billion).