Hitachi leaders talk new direction, equipment at ConExpo

Simon Wilson, vice president of sales at Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas, delivered a rundown of new equipment offerings from the company at a press conference Monday at ConExpo-Con/Agg. Photo: P&Q Staff

Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas (HCMA) leaders offered company updates and previewed equipment that’s debuting this week during a pre-show ConExpo-Con/Agg press conference Monday in Las Vegas.

HCMA CEO Al Quinn, whose company ended its joint-venture manufacturing and marketing agreements with John Deere a year ago, says his company’s 2022 sales were nearly 10 times higher than they were in 2021. And, like 2022, HCMA has big plans for 2023.

“This is just the start,” Quinn says. “Our plans for ‘23 are to double the volumes we have seen in 2022. We are well on track. We have the orders. We have the dealer network.”

As Quinn describes, Hitachi is a “powerhouse” globally but it lost visibility in the Americas in recent years. Quinn, however, says HCMA is on a quest to build the Hitachi brand back in the region.

Sonny Ishii, chairman of HCMA, shares Quinn’s view.

“The Americas market is the single-most-important market or priority for HCM (Hitachi Construction Machinery),” Ishii says.

Ishii says HCMA accounted for roughly 24 percent of Hitachi’s global revenue in its last fiscal year. Hitachi’s revenue in the Americas is the largest of any region for the company around the world.

Looking ahead, Quinn says HCMA aims to be a “top three manufacturer of construction machinery by 2028.”

“We expect to continue to be the leader in giving customers what they want on our excavators and loaders,” he says.

Product launches

HCMA leaders also detailed how they’re introducing the new 7 series excavators and wheel loaders, showcasing the complete lineup at their ConExpo-Con/Agg exhibits in West Hall (Booth W43321) and the Festival Grounds (Booth F8813).

“The excavators from the 13-ton all the way up to the 89-ton construction-size excavators are all new from the group up,” Wilson says. “And on the wheel loader side, you’ll see the new ‘dash’ 7 wheel loaders [have] a new look [and] a new design.”

Wilson says HCMA received plenty of feedback in the last year from customers before unveiling its new wheel loaders, wanting to make sure the equipment fits what customers are asking for.

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