Hitachi plans parts centre

The supply of spare parts is to become an increasing focus for Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) with the opening of a new European Parts Centre in April 2011.

HCME said this represented an investment of € 12million in the 53000 m² facility, of which 22000 m² is covered. The site was formerly owned by car manufacturer Citroën and is located in the city of Oosterhout in the south of The Netherlands.

HCME's existing 7600 m² European Parts Centre is also situated in Oosterhout, but it said the move to the new complex in the Vijf Eiken industrial area would help to enhance the Hitachi Support Chain after-sales programme. The supply of Hitachi genuine parts is a key link in the "chain of service" provided by HCME, it said, to protect its customers' investment in Hitachi construction machinery.

The new, state-of-the-art European Parts Centre will have the capacity to stock over 90000 individual parts line items for onward distribution to authorised Hitachi dealers and customers throughout Europe, Middle East, Russia/CIS and Africa. This includes a special chemical storage area for Hitachi lubricants and a 14-metre high storage facility for larger items.

The warehouse activities will be supported by a dedicated warehouse management system, which will guide the warehouse operatives in unpacking received parts, storage, picking, packing and shipping. This system will enable more than 70 employees - 42 in the warehouse - to handle up to 800 packages each day and 70000 parts line items every month.

HCME said the overall aims of this strategic development were to meet the requirements of the Japanese manufacturer's expanding customer base and increase sales in this important sector of the construction industry.

HCME Parts General Manager, Hiromasa Moriwaki, said, "HCME is delighted that it has secured such an impressive new facility for its European parts operation. The collective goals are to increase the efficiency of the warehouse operation, to improve the storage and handling processes and to offer an enhanced level of service to Hitachi dealers and customers.

"With parts availability increased up to 95%, this will also have a positive impact on HCME's business operations and reinforce its 'reliable solutions' corporate slogan."