Onsite — the construction machinery podcast

Many owners of Hitachi construction equipment are already discovering the benefits of ConSite cutting-edge remote monitoring technology, which collects vital data for the smooth running and efficient operation of their machines.In this episode of Onsite, we visit UK-based green composting and wood waste recycling company JM Recycling, which is already reaping the efficiency gains of being able to compare and contrast the operational status and performance of its growing fleet of Hitachi wheel loaders. 

Welcome to a special episode of Onsite with host Kerrie Kashani. Today we’re focussing on women in construction and are welcoming Sigrid Haugen and Mona Seljeset – two operators from Norway – along for a chat to talk about their experiences in the cab and on the job site. We’ll also hear from Jannike Hansen, Marketing Manager at the Norwegian dealer for Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe, who explains industry life from her perspective. 

In this episode of Onsite, we’re talking about wheel loaders, specifically Hitachi’s first Stage V-compliant model – the ZW220-7 – which has just been unveiled and is the safest, most technologically advanced Hitachi wheel loader to date.We speak to HCME Product Manager Bill Drougkas, who takes us behind the scenes of this exciting new machine, explains the research and development cycles, describes the new features in the cab and reveals how this new model has been truly designed and engineered to meet the needs of operators and owners right across Europe.

Following on from our ‘Elephant Haven’ podcast about the big difference a little Premium Used ZX38U-5 mini-excavator is making in southwest France, we thought we’d bring you up to speed with the latest developments behind Hitachi Construction Machinery’s Premium Used programme for excavators and wheel loaders.We find out more about the programme, the rigorous inspection and refurbishment process for machines, and the many benefits of ownership, with HCME’s Remarketing Manager Business Development, Martijn Kruithof.

Today we’re going to head to the Nordics to tell you a story about a true ‘Hitachi hero’, and introduce you to one of the many special owners and operators we meet across Europe, for whom Hitachi means much more than a tool to do a job. Enjoy our chat with Norwegian entrepreneur Wiggo Rønningen, who purchased his first orange machine way back in 1985 and has been loyally flying the flag for Hitachi construction machinery ever since. We asked Wiggo to tell us more about his world, what inspires him and how he has pursued his dreams.

In southwest France, a Belgian couple have been building a unique elephant sanctuary so that they can offer rehabilitation and a kind retirement for Asian and African elephants that have come from zoos and circuses. It's the first of its kind in Europe and Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe has donated a premium used mini excavator to the project. Painted in the Elephant Haven colours, the ZX38U-5 has been used to help prepare the facilities for the arrival of the first elephants. This has included digging trenches for drainage, building fences, creating mud pools and helping with the construction of a shelter where the elephants will sleep. Find out more about how this little machine has made a big difference to this unique and worthwhile cause.

Remote fleet management systems are bringing massive benefits to both customers and manufacturers, and the data they provide will ultimately lead to the design of superior machines for the future. In this second episode of our two-part special, we ask Stephen Creaser, Director Product Support at Hitachi Construction Machinery UK to give us the dealer perspective on how telematics is changing the way the entire construction industry functions on a day-to-day basis.

Ever-tighter profit margins and deadlines are driving the need to be more efficient and productive on construction projects. Ultimately, to be profitable, contractors need to know where their machines are, what they are doing and how they are doing it. In the first of a two-part special, we speak to Yemi Onabiyi, Service Business Support Engineer at HCME more about why telematics data is of increasingly vital importance in construction, before HCME’s Business Development Coordinator Oliver Polman tells us how ABAX technology has expanded the benefits of monitoring and tracking to all Hitachi machines – even previous generation ones.

In this second of our two-part compact equipment special, we continue to explore why Hitachi compact machines are an increasingly popular choice on a wide range of construction projects.This time though, we’re interested to get a dealer perspective on this topic, so we spoke to Hitachi Construction Machinery UK’s director of sales for the midlands region Jon Barnfield all about the current market, how sales are stacking up, service, product support, electrification, and much more… If you want to discover more, then why not keep up to date with all the latest news from Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) by registering at https://hitachicm.eu/subscribe

In this latest episode, we take an in-depth look at the world of compact construction machinery, assess the types of activities to which it is best suited, and discuss the advantages of using such equipment. Joep van den Maagdenberg, Accountmanager & Product Specialist and responsible for international sales for HCME joins us on the line from The Netherlands, before handing over to Seigo Yamamoto from HCME’s Product Management & Engineering department. Enjoy the listen and why not check out our second episode on this specific topic!If you want to discover more, then why not keep up to date with all the latest news from Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) by registering at https://hitachicm.eu/subscribe

In the second part of our hydraulics special, we learn more about how Hitachi has worked directly with European dealers to tailor its own system to the meet the performance needs of customers in Europe, especially the Nordic countries, where owner/operators typically use a versatile 20-tonne excavator with a variety of attachments to complete several different activities on one project. We speak to Magnus Hansson from Swedish dealer, Delvator, to see how TRIAS has helped Hitachi stand out from the crowd, especially in the land of one of its major competitors. Enjoy the listen and if you want to discover more, then why not keep up to date with all the latest news from Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) by registering at https://hitachicm.eu/subscribe

In the first of a two-part special, we focus our attention on hydraulics, specifically the unique TRIAS III system that’s found in the latest -7 generation of Hitachi Zaxis excavators. While some manufacturers have responded to the need for lower fuel consumption by reducing the engine output of their machines, Hitachi has taken a different approach with TRIAS III. TRIAS III benefits from further fine-tuning of the control valve spools and new features resulting in even less hydraulic losses, greater efficiency and controllability. We speak to product manager Wilbert Blom about why and how Hitachi ensures that its equipment can do as much as possible with as little fuel as possible.Enjoy the listen and if you want to discover more, then why not keep up to date with all the latest news from Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) by registering at https://hitachicm.eu/subscribe

Keeping machines in optimum condition is paramount in today’s competitive marketplace, so it’s good to know that Hitachi Remanufactured components offer an affordable and sustainable alternative to new ones, to keep an EX or Zaxis excavator, ZW wheel loader or EH rigid dump truck running with minimal unscheduled downtime.We get the HCME perspective direct from Part Sales Representative Rob Feskens, before heading over to Zambia to hear how one of Hitachi’s most successful plants is supplying remanufactured parts for ultra-large excavators and rigid dump trucks right across the globe.Enjoy the listen and if you want to discover more, then why not keep up to date with all the latest news from Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) by registering at https://hitachicm.eu/subscribe

With so much interest in Hitachi’s all-new Zaxis-7 range, we thought we’d bring you up to speed about exactly what went on behind the scenes to bring these latest medium-size excavators to the market…Ghislaine Jonker, Manager Marketing for HCME, and Excavator Product Manager Wilbert Blom join us on the line from Amsterdam to reveal the background story about the development of this latest generation of exceptional construction machinery.Enjoy the listen and if you want to discover more, then why not keep up to date with all the latest news from Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) by registering at https://hitachicm.eu/subscribe

Welcome back to Onsite – it’s great to have you here again! In episode three we’re continuing our focus on the construction rental market. Last time, we spoke to two industry experts about why the market is embracing a shift towards renting construction equipment.This episode, we’re speaking to HCME’s Rental Development Manager Arnold van Benthem about why contractors all over Europe are taking advantage of the business opportunities associated with Hitachi’s Premium Rental programme. And Juan Rodriguez Alvarez, CEO of HJM (HCME’s distributor for the Spanish market) brings us the dealer perspective on rental and how it works for his customers. Enjoy the listen!

Welcome back to Onsite – it’s great to have you here again! In episode two we’re going to focus on the construction rental market, as this sector has experienced a significant upturn in recent years, and this trend looks set to continue – especially in light of the lasting effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.We’re going to talk to a couple of industry experts: Thomas Allen, Editor of International Rental News; and Michel Petitjean, secretary general of the European Rental Association, about why the market is embracing a shift towards renting construction equipment. Enjoy the listen!

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’ll be well aware that Hitachi’s all-new Zaxis-7 range of medium size excavators has now come to the market.Onsite speaks to Burkhard Janssen, General Manager Product Management & Engineering at Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe), to find out more about what went on behind the scenes to bring the exciting new Zaxis-7 range to the market, how the feedback of owners and operators the world over had a significant influence in its development – and how it stacks up compared to the successful -6 range.With over a quarter of a century of experience in construction, Burkhard knows a thing or two about what it takes to produce industry-leading equipment, so we do hope you enjoy listening to the inside story on the -7’s development.

A warm welcome to Onsite, the construction machinery podcast, especially for operators, owners and followers of Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe). Thanks for joining us – it’s great to have you on board.With Onsite, we’ll take you behind the scenes with the best machines, the most interesting job sites, bring you exclusive inside stories and share the views of contractors and operators right across our industry. And what’s best is that all of this informative and entertaining construction content will be packaged up as a regular podcast for you to stream, download and listen to for free. The first episode of Onsite will be published at the beginning of May, so hit the subscribe button now and you’ll receive it automatically wherever you find your podcasts.