Hitachi Construction Machinery Establishes LANDCROS Development Center Europe GmbH Development Company in Germany
ZE135 battery-powered excavator (Stockholm, Sweden)
Tokyo, December 11, 2025 - Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. (President and Executive Officer: Masafumi Senzaki; "Hitachi Construction Machinery") announces that it will establish "LANDCROS Development Center Europe GmbH," ("LANDCROS Development Center Europe") a development company 100% owned by Hitachi Construction Machinery, in the Federal Republic of Germany ("Germany") on January 1, 2026, to strengthen the Hitachi Construction Machinery Group's ability to develop battery-powered excavators, ICT-compatible products, and solutions.
By conducting research and development based on a medium- to long-term road map in Europe, a region where advanced needs are strong, Hitachi Construction Machinery will accelerate the market launch of battery-powered excavators, ICT-compatible products, and solutions. This marks the establishment of the first new company to bear the "LANDCROS" name since the announcement of the trade name and brand transition plan.
Due to strict regulations concerning the construction industry, the European market has many advanced needs.
Furthermore, the European market is one of the most stringent in the world when it comes to regulations for addressing global warming and realizing a low-carbon society. Similar to automobiles, the demand for electric-powered construction machinery that does not emit carbon dioxide and other exhaust gases during operation is increasing in Europe. In addition, due to a high level of awareness regarding labor-saving efforts and efficient construction, it is common for dealers and remodeling specialists in Europe to develop, remodel, and sell models that use a single excavator for multiple purposes as well as ICT construction machinery and special application products based on standard models.
To date, the Hitachi Construction Machinery Group has developed battery-powered excavators, ICT-compatible, and special application products based on hydraulic excavators from Hitachi Construction Machinery through KTEG GmbH (investment ratios: 50.1% owned by Kiesel Technology GmbH and 49.9% by Hitachi Construction Machinery), a company that is jointly funded by Kiesel Technology GmbH, a subsidiary of European dealer Kiesel GmbH. Going forward, KTEG GmbH will focus its efforts on the development and marketing of special application products for the European market while LANDCROS Development Center Europe will be responsible for the development of battery-powered excavators, ICT-compatible products, and solutions. The company aims to target outstanding human resources to hire around 100 developers in industrial fields such as construction machinery and automobiles in the future.
The Hitachi Construction Machinery Group will conduct research and development while openly collaborating with development partners in Europe as a hub for advanced needs with the goal of rapidly providing higher performance products and solutions to customers.
Comment from Kazunori Nakamura, Vice President and Executive Officer, President of Power & Info Control Platform Business Unit
The establishment of LANDCROS Development Center Europe marks a pivotal moment in our journey toward sustainable innovation. By creating a dedicated R&D hub in Europe, we are accelerating the development of battery-powered excavators, ICT-enabled solutions, and digital technologies that meet the evolving needs of our customers worldwide. This strategic move reinforces our commitment to shaping the future of construction machinery with advanced, environmentally responsible solutions.
Overview of LANDCROS Development Center Europe
| Company name | LANDCROS Development Center Europe GmbH |
| Location | State of Hesse, Federal Republic of Germany |
| Date established | January 1, 2026*1 |
| Capital | 2 million euros (approximately 0.33 billion yen)*2 |
| Investment ratio | Hitachi Construction Machinery: 100% |
| Number of employees | Approximately 15 people (at the time of establishment) |
| Business overview | Research and development of construction machinery and other products |
*1:The establishment of LANDCROS Development Center Europe GmbH is subject to the acquisition of necessary approvals from the relevant authorities.
*2:Calculated based on the exchange rate of 1 euro = 166 yen estimated by Hitachi Construction Machinery.
Related information
- October 28, 2025 News Release Hitachi Construction Machinery Changes Trade Name to LANDCROS Corporation
- December 3, 2024 News Release Hitachi Construction Machinery Establishes New Development Company in India
- October 25, 2022 News Release Strengthening Development and Product-Marketing Functions for Zero-Emission Construction Machinery, Assist Systems and Special Application Products in the European Market
About Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. (TSE: 6305), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a construction machinery manufacturer that globally deploys development, manufacturing, sales, and service businesses for its hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, compaction equipment, and mining machinery, etc. In addition to its new machinery business, Hitachi Construction Machinery is expanding its "value chain businesses" of parts and services, remanufacturing (parts and machines), rentals, and used equipment as it continues to grow together with customers as a solutions provider that offers innovative solutions to customers. With roughly 26,000 employees around the world, the consolidated sales revenue for Hitachi Construction Machinery was 1,371.3 billion yen for fiscal year 2024 (ended March 2025) with an overseas sales revenue ratio of 84%. For more details, please see the company's website.
The company plans to change its trade name to "LANDCROS Corporation" and its corporate brand to "LANDCROS" on April 1, 2027.
Information contained in this news release is current as of the date of the press announcement, but may be subject to change without prior notice.
