Report from the Compact Site
[Shiga Factory]
Hitachi Construction Machinery Tierra manufactures compact products at two factories, one in Shiga and one in Osaka. The Shiga Factory, located on the grounds of the head office in Koka City, handles fabrication, painting, assembly, inspection, and shipping. It is quite spectacular to see the finished orange compact excavators and compact wheel loaders lined up in the shipping yard.
| INTERVIEW |
Manager
Manufacturing Technology Promotion Office
Production Center, Production Group
Studying hard and moving forward one step at a time Aiming for an “autonomous factory” with our own technology
Currently, we are working on streamlining the manufacturing process. Specifically, we are automating advanced tasks and difficult processes on the production line. Since we design and program ourselves, we study new technologies and systems, building on what we can do according to our roadmap. We are working closely with the production site to achieve our ultimate goal of creating an autonomous factory.
Team Leade, Second Assembly Section
Shiga Production Department, Production Center, Production Division
People and technology coexist
Thoroughly “building quality”
I currently work as a team leader on the wheel loader assembly line. My main job is to monitor the production line’s progress, but I also pay attention to the safety and working conditions of my 52 team members. IoT and robots are essential for labor savings and automation. However, when something irregular happens, human experience and skills are also necessary. I am always conscious of “building quality.”
[Osaka Factory]
The Osaka Factory, located in Daito City, Osaka Prefecture, is responsible for the fabrication of mini excavator arms, boom uppers, and blades. These products are delivered to the Shiga Factory by truck four times a day. The Osaka Factory also uses IoT technology and robots. In addition to streamlining the manufacturing process, the factory is working to improve its staff’s working environment.
| INTERVIEW |
Assistant Manager
Management Group, Osaka Production Department
Production Center, Production Division
Quality that comes from compactness
Focusing on the finish with human hands
At the fabrication process handled by the Osaka Factory, robots perform automatic welding, and humans then finish the fine details by hand. Since compact products are physically close to users, we pay close attention to the finish. Because the factory is small, communication between departments and among staff members is excellent. We believe it is important for people to speak up and for us to listen.
[Development Design]
Hitachi Construction Machinery Tierra, which systematically handles design, production, and sales, also conducts product development at its development and design center, which is located at its head office in Shiga. As the social environment changes and customer needs diversify, a more detailed approach to product development has become necessary. We visited the development and design center, where they work to create high-quality products in collaboration with Hitachi Construction Machinery.
| INTERVIEW |
Senior Engineer
Development Center
Designing from the perspective of both the manufacturer and the user
The most recent project I worked on was a 5-ton class battery-powered excavator. It was my first time working with electric construction machinery, so there was some trial and error, but we created a satisfactory product in terms of performance and functionality. For example, we combined battery and commercial power sources. I always keep in mind the perspective of “What if it were me?” This applies not only to customers, but also to assembly line workers. I make sure not to design something that I would dislike being in their position.
[Evaluation Testing]
Hitachi Construction Machinery Tierra relocated its evaluation testing site from the Shiga Factory to a nearby location. This expansion significantly increased the site’s scale and functionality. Testing and evaluation operations began in 2024. The new testing site will continue to play an indispensable role in delivering high-quality compact products, a market which is expected to continue expanding. Its importance will undoubtedly increase in the future.
| INTERVIEW |
Evaluation Section, Quality Assurance Center
Corporate Quality Assurance Group
No compromises, for the sake of quality
By relocating the testing site, we have not only significantly expanded its size, but also its testing facilities. This has enabled us to conduct tests that were previously impossible, such as wheel loader driving tests. It has also made it possible to efficiently conduct various tests. The development testing site belongs to the quality assurance headquarters and is completely independent from the development, design, and production departments. We believe it is crucial to never compromise to maintain quality in our awareness and organizational structure.
Small Construction Machinery, Big Possibilities
