HD Hyundai Construction Equipment has announced it is investing in a revised regional management structure, new uptime and machine customisation centres, and the building of a dedicated product demonstration area.
The moves form part of a reorganisation of the manufacturer’s European operations.
The new structure aims to bring the company closer to the market, improve the ordering process for new machines, reduce lead times, and deliver a wider range of customer-specific options.
HD Hyundai revealed it is creating a ‘matrix’ organisational structure across its sales and aftermarket operations, to foster a closer partnership with dealers and customers in each region and to be more in touch with specific regional market requirements.
The new regional matrix will see the creation of five geographical sales and support regions:
- DACH (Germany, Austria and Switzerland)
- France/Benelux
- UK/Ireland
- Italy/Southern Europe
- Eastern/Northern Europe
“This new structure will massively enhance our market, dealer and customer connection, allowing faster decision making thanks to an improved understanding of the individual market situation,” said Dr.Hubertus Muenster, director of sales and marketing at HD Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe. “It will provide us with a new level of flexibility and accountability, providing our customers with improved communication and support.”
HD Hyundai added it is building on the success of its EU-CUP machine customisation centre in Antwerp, Belgium. Traditionally, individual excavators and wheel loaders have been shipped to the centre from South Korea with dedicated booms and arms carried separately. The customisation centre then installed the booms and attachments, though the machine remained a stock unit with little flexibility.
Under the new system, HD Hyundai will import standard machines without booms and arms. The front-end attachments will be shipped separately based on market data. As dealers place orders for individual models, the customisation centre will be able to mix and match excavator and loader chassis, with booms, arms and other components, to suit customer orders. This is designed to cut lead times, allowing dealers to better meet customer demand, even for less common configurations.
The site will continue to offer customers and dealers a personalisation facility, with paint booths and workshops capable of tailoring the machine to exact specifications.
The facility is also implementing a material requirement planning system, that will forecast modification parts demand based on sales forecasts and assembly schedules.
HD Hyundai is establishing a European Uptime Centre, at its head office in Tessenderlo, Belgium, designed to maximise the wealth of data collected through its Hi-Mate telematic monitoring system. By having real-time operating information from almost every machine operating throughout Europe, the manufacturer will be able to proactively contact customers when service or repairs are due. The company will also be able to follow ongoing repairs, ensuring parts availability and providing monthly machine health reports to customers with service agreements.
“The new HD Hyundai Uptime Centre will monitor, collect, and analyse real-time data from the HD Hyundai Construction Equipment fleet of machines via advanced telematics systems,” added Edsel Trindade, manager, uptime and product support. “This data-driven approach will enable the proactive identification of potential equipment issues before they become critical, allowing for timely maintenance and repairs.”
HD Hyundai is also constructing a purpose-designed demonstration area at its Tessenderlo European HQ. The area will be available for dealer and customer visits, media events, company training and product launches. Grandstand seating will provide a panoramic view over the working site.
“We have closely examined every aspect of our business in Europe to find ways in which we can better work with our dealers and serve our customers,” said Dr Muenster. “Our focus has at all times been on the customer experience, from the first machine order, through customisation of equipment, operation and fleet management. Our aim is to maximise uptime for our customers, ensuring the best return on their investment.”
