Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) launched its latest hydraulic excavator at the opening of its redesigned demo area in Amsterdam.
The arrival of the ZX210X-6 ICT machine coincided with the unveiling of the new testing area at its headquarters in the Dutch capital city, which will provide an enhanced experience for customers.
As a result of the improvements, a wider variety of machines can be showcased in a more attractive and technologically advanced environment.
The area was officially reopened on September 27 with a special demonstration of the hydraulic excavator with machine control and its associated technology to invited members of the press and European dealers.
Frank van Neste, demonstrator for the product management and engineering department at HCME, said, “We wanted to make it more attractive to visitors, and to update it with new technology, so it would be ready for the launch of the ZX210X-6 ICT hydraulic excavator with machine control, and to better demonstrate Hitachi’s ICT construction solutions.”
Extensive ground work
Van Neste led the redesign project, with support from Burkhard Janssen, HCME general manager – product management and engineering, and product manager Wilbert Blom. Work on the new area took six months to prepare and was completed within six weeks.
“The original demo area was built in 2002 and it was only possible to show four or five machines,” said van Neste. “Previously, I could only give explanations from the cab to one or two people, but now I can share it with 90 people in the auditorium.”
The demonstration area has been extended by 10m either side to give an additional 1,500m² of space. A 2m high embankment that previously surrounded the area has been removed, and a 1m high mound has been built around the new perimeter, making it easier for visitors to see the machines from the surrounding pathway.
Within the area, there are more small hills on which to park machines, and this gives product demonstrators greater flexibility. The surrounding lighting has been replaced with energy-efficient LEDs, and a new drainage system has been installed to ensure the ground remains in optimum condition for machine demonstrations.
