The Hitachi Construction Machinery Group is actively introducing measures to help prevent the spread of new coronavirus infection (COVID-19). In response to the request from Tokyo Metropolitan Government to refrain from going outside for non-essential reasons, employees of the Hitachi Construction Machinery Head Office (Tokyo, Japan) are currently working from home or tele-working for approximately two weeks from March 27 to April 10. By making use of email, phone calls, video conferencing and other communication systems, as of the present time there has been no major disruption to our business operations.

In the area of production, as of 9:00am on March 30, Hitachi Construction Machinery ’s production sites including Tsuchiura Works, our core domestic manufacturing base, remain in operation. Similarly, our domestic sales and service bases are also operating as usual.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Japan, which is responsible for domestic sales and service, has also been working to grasp the operating status of customers which is gradually being affected by local government calls to refrain from going outside.

Additionally, with expectations that the COVID-19 outbreak could last for a long time, we anticipate delays in the procurement of parts and components from our production bases in India, Europe, Africa, the U.S., Brazil, Indonesia and other countries where infection rates are escalating dramatically, together with a knock-on effect on normal production activities. Sales and service activities in some regions are also being impacted by curfews and lockdowns.

With the vision of the Hitachi Construction Machinery Group, “Toward the richness of Earth and prosperous communities in the future … Hitachi Construction Machinery is contributing to the creation of comfortable living spaces” etched in our minds, we will work together to overcome these challenging circumstances. Amid the ever-changing COVID-19 situation, we are committed to making the optimal decisions in as speedy a manner as possible based on collection of information and close communication with our bases worldwide.

This is a very worrying time for everyone, but with your support and cooperation we can fight this invisible enemy.