Hitachi Construction Machinery Company announced on 10 February that it is re-opening and extending its cooperation agreement with Tadano in the manufacture and sale of mobile cranes.
Hitachi is Japan’s third largest manufacturer of construction machinery, in terms of sales, while Tadano ranks fifth. Like many Japanese companies, both have been badly hit by the economic downturn in their home market.
Hitachi said that the two companies will initially supply each other with construction machinery on an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) basis, with the intention of cutting costs and increasing sales.
Hitachi and Tadano first formed an alliance in 1978 but attempts to cooperate in crane sales foundered.
