HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY

Worldwide demand for building materials is expected to rise to Є254billion by 2010 (Global Industry Analysts, Inc). In Europe, the market was valued at a staggering Є8billion in 2006, with major growth in Eastern countries offsetting a slight decline in other regions. The figures are encouraging for Hanson Ltd, one of the world’s largest heavy building material suppliers to the construction industry.

Hanson has been part of German construction materials giant HeidelbergCement since August 2007. It produces aggregates, concrete, asphalt and cement-related materials, plus building products such as concrete pipes, pavers, tiles and clay bricks.

In the UK, Hanson is one of five major operators accounting for 80 per cent of all aggregates extracted. It has 90 active quarries and a distribution network of depots, wharves, road vehicles, rail locomotives and wagons.

The company has recently made a significant investment in new quarrying machinery and now has a Hitachi Zaxis-3 excavator as the prime mover in 18 of its locations. The new models range from the ZX350LC-3 to the ZX870LCR-3 and are working at different sites across the UK.

“All of our rock quarries are developed in benches or steps,” explains Meir Rofe, Group Lead Buyer of Aggregates and Asphalt Machinery. “After we have carried out controlled explosions, the Hitachi excavators load the loose material onto trucks or directly in to mobile crushers so that it can be transferred to our on-site primary or secondary crushing facilities.”

At least two of Hanson’s Hitachi excavators are working at the demanding Machen and Lithalun limestone quarries in south Wales. A ZX520LCR-3 is busy at Lithalun, which has an annual yield of 600,000 tonnes of aggregates, while theZX870LCR BE-3 at Machen is helping to output over one million tonnes per year.

“The Zaxis-3 models are extremely reliable,” continues Meir. “We have been delighted with the service and support received from Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV and its UK distributor HM Plant.”