Kobelco expands presence in NZ

The Japanese excavator specialist has established Kobelco Construction Machinery New Zealand (KCMNZ) to enable the company to streamline excavator sales and parts support in the country with a direct-to-market approach.

The new facility, expected to be operational from July 1, 2023, will be located in the south of Auckland and will handle all new Kobelco excavator sales from one to 85 tonnes, including demolition and specialist scrap and material handling machines; as well as full aftersales service and support.

Komatsu expects the new venture to streamline the delivery process from factory to end-customer in the most timely and cost-effective way. Specialist Kobelco-trained technical support will also be based in New Zealand, to provide technical expertise to support customers.

Kobelco Genuine Parts will be imported directly from the factory to the National Parts Distribution Centre south of Auckland, with an increase in parts inventory on the ground. Additional back-up support will continue in the form of an overnight freight service from the Sydney warehouse.

KCMNZ Managing Director, Paul Torrington, said building market share and presence in the New Zealand market is a priority for Kobelco.

“By implementing a direct-to-market strategy, with factory backing, we can provide customers with the high quality, yet cost-effective and efficient sales and support systems that Kobelco owners expect,” he said.

Kobelco is also in discussion with current New Zealand Kobelco dealer, MIMICO, regarding an ongoing service and support arrangement to enable continuous service to customers currently supported by MIMICO branch locations. 

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