YANMAR Compact Equipment has marked a major production milestone after the 300,000th mini-excavator rolled off the production line at the firm’s Chikugo Plant in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan.
The plant has served as Yanmar’s primary manufacturing hub since 2004.
Yanmar’s history with compact construction machinery dates back to 1968 with the launch of the YNB300, a wheeled mini-excavator that laid the foundation for its construction equipment business. Between 1973 and 1980, the company focused on developing compact kit such as mini-excavators and mini wheel loaders.
Yanmar advanced its construction equipment line in the 1990s, most notably with the introduction of the ViO series. Featuring a zero tail swing design, the machines could rotate without rear overhang. In 1998, the company debuted the Sigma series, addressing the limitations of ultra-compact equipment with technological advancements.
Originally a division within Yanmar Group, Yanmar Compact Equipment was established as a standalone company in 2004.
The 300,000-unit milestone is said to reflect the dedication and efforts of Yanmar Compact Equipment employees.
“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved together with our partners and the communities we serve,” said Ryu Kudo, CEO of Yanmar Compact Equipment Japan region. “This milestone reflects the strength of those relationships and the value of close collaboration. We’re especially grateful to the many operators who have relied on our mini-excavators and whose feedback has played a key role in driving our continuous improvement.”
