Hitachi Construction Machinery., Ltd. (HCM) wishes to announce the acquisition of the remaining Management Shareholding in HM Plant – its UK and Ireland distributor – on 26 April 2007. This increases HCM’s original investment from the 30 per cent acquired in February 2003 to 100 per cent.

HM Plant has successfully restructured its distribution network in recent years by relocating to new 60,000sqft purpose-built premises within a 2.75-hectare site at an investment of £5million. This has helped to improve machine preparation efficiencies and given HM Plant the ability to supply more than 5,000 machines per annum to its customer base by 2010.

The additional benefit of the relocation substantially reduces HM Plant’s logistical costs with regard to the importation of machines from the Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) factory in Amsterdam.

HM Plant will continue to implement its successful business strategy under the leadership of existing Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Jones.

“HCM and HCME are delighted to have secured the remaining shareholding in HM Plant,” says Mr Mitsuhiro Tabei, President and Managing Director of HCME. “The original 30 per cent investment helped to secure the long-term future of HM Plant and HCME.

“However, the latest investment will further strengthen our position within this highly competitive market. The acquisition is a natural progression for both parties, giving HM Plant and HCME the perfect platform from which to expand and develop product sales.”