This represents a significant investment of €e12million in the 53,000m2 facility (22,000m2 covered), formerly owned by the car manufacturer Citroën and located in the city of Oosterhout in the south of The Netherlands.
HCME's existing 7,600m2 European parts centre is also situated in Oosterhout, but the move to the new complex will 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 to protect its customers' investment in Hitachi construction machinery.
The new state-of-the-art centre will have the capacity to stock over 90,000 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 14m 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 70,000 parts line items every month.
The overall aims of this strategic development are to meet the requirements of the Japanese manufacturer's expanding customer base and increase sales in this important sector of the construction industry.
"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," says HCME parts general manager, Hiromasa Moriwaki.
"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."
