KOBELCO Construction Machinery Europe (KCME) is expanding its operations with the relocation of its HQ from Almere to a larger purpose-built facility in Lelystad, Netherlands.
The manufacturer has been working with Genemuiden-based contractor Groothuis Bouwgroep, and MK23 Architects from Utrecht, to finalise the design of the new 17,500m2 building, which will be situated on 30,000m2 of land owned by Kobelco.
The facility will comprise of three main buildings, including warehouse facilities, training centre and three-floor offices. There will also be a demonstration field for Kobelco machinery.
A key milestone in the project was achieved recently when the first foundations were dug by Makoto Kato, MD of KCME, using a new Kobelco SK270SRLC-7 excavator. The symbolic ceremony took place in the presence of Dennis A. Grimbergen, deputy mayor of Lelystad, and Akira Yamamoto, president and CEO of Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
The new base is expected to be completed by 2025. The energy-neutral building will be surrounded by ‘sympathetic’ landscaping and ecological facilities.
The announcement of the expansion coincided with KCME’s 10th anniversary celebrations, which recently took place at an event in Amsterdam. KCME MD Makoto Kato said, “It’s exciting to see progress underway with the symbolic first hole being dug with the new Kobelco SK270SRLC-7. We are proud to expand KCME’s operations into a new, larger purpose-built facility that will become a hub for all our European activities.
“In particular, our new warehouse facilities will be more than three times bigger than our current warehouse in Almere, which gives us better opportunity to service our European dealers. We are very pleased to take this important step for the future growth of KCME.”
