Hitachi Construction Machinery (Hitachi CM) has announced that it is expanding its partnership with German dealer Kiesel, to develop zero-emissions construction equipment and construction technology for the European market.

The ZX135-7EB is one of four new electric excavators shown by Hitachi at Bauma 2022. (Photo: 必赢体育)

Kiesel has been working with Hitachi CM for a number of years, as a European dealer, but also worked on the development of three of the four electric machines Hitachi unveiled at the recent Bauma exhibition in Munich.

At the show, Hitachi鈥檚 management announced that a new joint venture company, Kenki Technology Group (KTEG), to be headquartered in Stockstadt am Rhein in Germany, had been established to work specifically on products and equipment for the European construction market.

Hitachi said, 鈥淭his significant move will expedite the time to market for Hitachi鈥檚 advanced zero-emission construction and special application machinery, as well as ICT [Information and Communication Technology]-supported products.

鈥淚t will also serve to meet the demands of the European market, with a focus on environmental concerns and the challenges faced by Hitachi owners.鈥�

Fit for European purpose
The manufacturer said the expansion of its already successful partnership with Kiesel was based on the fast-changing requirements of European construction, which operates under some of the strictest emissions regulations in the world.

KTEG, said Hitachi, has also been established to meet the demands of a market that has a high level of awareness of the scarcity of manpower and is, therefore, at the forefront of new technology adoption.

Using KTEG鈥檚 understanding of the European market, Hitachi says it aims to gain a greater understanding of customers鈥� technology and machine requirements, before bringing to bear its ability to 鈥渕ass produce cost-competitive zero-emission, special application and ICT construction machinery鈥�.

Future plans for the group include the expansion of KTEG鈥檚 developments for delivery to global markets, particularly in Japan and North America.