Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe B.V.

KOBELCO’s parent company, Kobe Steel, releases Japan’s first construction machine, a 50K (1.5 m³) electric mining shovel.

The first 10KT (6t) and 20KT (10t) truck cranes are released in Japan.

The H208, the first crawler-type hydraulic excavator is released, applying Kobelco’s proprietary technology with an ‘operator-first’ approach.

“KOBELCO” is adopted as an internationally recognised trademark.

The 7000 series of completely hydraulic crawler cranes is launched.

The SL13000 super-large crawler crane is introduced.

Kobelco pioneers the revolutionary Short Radius (SR) concept with its ‘Beetle’ series of short rear tail swing mini excavators.

The Construction Machinery Division of Kobe Steel merges with Yutani Heavy Industries Ltd. and Kobe Steel Kobelco Construction Machinery Co. to form Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.

Kobelco launches new activities in Europe (Kobelco Cranes Europe Ltd.), the US (Kobelco Cranes North America Inc.) and China (Chengdu Kobelco Construction Machinery Group Co., Ltd.).

Kobelco leads the industry by exhibiting an actual hybrid excavator (monitor machine) at INTERMAT in Paris. The SK3500D demolition machine is recognised as ‘the world’s tallest building demolition machine’ by Guinness World Records. Meanwhile, medium-sized hydraulic excavators undergo a full model change, achieving a 20% reduction in fuel consumption compared to earlier models.

A short rear tail swing hydraulic excavator is released featuring the new iNDr cooling system.

Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe B.V. is established as a sales and service company in the Netherlands.

An office is opened in Germany to reinforce large-sized crawler crane operations.

The new SK200H hydraulic excavator is released featuring a lithium-ion battery, revolutionising the concept of hybrid excavators.

The new hydraulic excavator in the 7 ton class is launched, transforming usability and comfort for operators.

Kobelco completes a successful long-distance demonstration of the K-DIVE remote control concept.

The SK1300DLC, currently the world’s largest OEM manufactured building demolition machine, is released.

The SK1300DLC wins an Innovation Award at the World Demolition Summit in Vienna, Austria.

Kobelco celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its renewed operations in Europe with a special event in Amsterdam for dealers and partners. It uses the occasion to reveal the new SK26SR-7 mini-excavator and announce the upcoming relocation of the KCME headquarters to a state-of-the-art facility in Lelystad, Netherlands.

KCME launches a new European corporate identity that celebrates its Japanese heritage while reinforcing its commitment to the European market.

KCME opens its new European headquarters in Lelystad, Netherlands.