A future-proof parts warehouse to meet growing demand

Modernising the Hitachi parts facility

The number of parts stored in stock at the facility in The Netherlands has grown significantly over the last decade, from 68,800 in 2015 to approximately 80,000 in 2024. We expect this number to continue to rise and has designed a future-proof modernised warehouse.

We worked with Neovia, a global leader in third-party contract logistics, to maximise the use of the 28,000m2 building. Before the upgrade, the facility had 73,000 locations to store parts and it now has 110,000 locations, with a focus on the large components required for mining machines, hoses and piping, as well as fast-moving items.

The remodelling of the warehouse, which has taken two years to complete, has increased storage capacity with more dedicated bins and racks for certain parts. This has improved the accuracy of the picking process, and created additional space for larger, more expensive parts to be stored securely.

An increased demand for mining machinery parts

“The European mining market is currently booming and driving the increased demand for parts that we are experiencing,” explains Hans Lam, Manager Parts Logistics at HCME. “We are proud to reopen the new warehouse on 27 June, and unveil it to our colleagues, and the senior leadership team at HCME, as well as Michael Fahy (CEO of Neovia), and Miguel Mazarias (Neovia Senior Vice President EAME and APAC).

“During the modernisation process, we maintained a high level of service to both dealers and customers, ensuring the consistent and reliable parts supply they would expect from HCME. And now we have a state-of-the-art fulfilment centre, that will continue to meet their needs in the years to come.”