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Hitachi excavators transform limestone extraction at historic quarry

News Large excavator
27 Nov 2025
Two Hitachi EX1200 ultra-large excavators are reshaping operations at the Eqiom cement quarry in Héming, France. To meet performance and sustainability goals, Eqiom has strengthened its long-running partnership with Hitachi Construction Machinery Europe (HCME) by adding a second EX1200 to its fleet this year. This marks a major evolution in how the historic site extracts limestone.

Improving efficiency and safety

Founded in 1892, the Héming quarry extracts 1.1 million tonnes of limestone each year across its 300 hectares, supplying 800,000 tonnes of cement. After decades of working with 250-tonne excavators, Eqiom decided to transform its approach by introducing blasting and switching to faster, smaller and more economical equipment.

“We had to completely rethink our operating method to improve efficiency and safety,” explains Raphaël Amet, Quarry Manager.

Following extensive research led by Didier Geneste, Field Product Support Specialist at HCME, the team identified the Hitachi EX1200 as the ideal fit. The first EX1200-6 arrived in March 2019, followed in February 2025 by the next-generation EX1200-7.

High performance with lower fuel use

Both EX1200 models, equipped with HCME-customised buckets, deliver production rates of up to 1,000 tonnes per hour, matching the company’s previous 250-tonne excavators but in a more efficient way.

“We are achieving the same volumes as with our old excavators, but with much lower fuel consumption. This is a major economic and environmental benefit,” says Raphaël Amet.

In six years, the EX1200-6 has reached 7,000 operating hours with almost perfect availability, reinforcing the machine’s reliability.

Operators impressed by speed and comfort

For Eqiom’s teams, the upgrade has been transformative. “Hitachi machines are fast, smooth, and there is much less vibration,” says Laurent Guardo, Team Leader for 18 years. “They were easy and pleasant to learn to use.”

Thanks to personalised HCME training, all 12 operators adapted quickly and expanded their versatility across excavators, dumpers and loaders. The result is improved operator comfort – from reduced vibration to lower noise levels – and higher productivity across the board.

A partnership built for the long term

Eqiom highlights not only the machine performance, but also the service and support provided by HCME. “The support provided to the teams and the reliability of the machines have been impeccable,” says Raphaël Amet. “This is what is prompting us to already consider a third excavator in the coming years.”

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to modernising quarry extraction, reducing environmental impact, and ensuring long-term operational safety.

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