COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) CUSTOMER UPDATE

A message from our CEO on COVID-19 – 27th March 2020

We would like to take this opportunity to update all our customers on Hitachi Construction Machinery (UK) Ltd’s strategies in relation to the current COVID-19 Pandemic that is affecting everyone’s lives across the country.

As a responsible employer, our main priority is the health and welfare of our staff, customers, and suppliers so we are following government guidelines, and taking steps as outlined below to minimise the risk of spreading the virus. As a key service provider to our customers (including critical services), we will remain operational but we have taken the following actions in an effort to balance the needs of our customers and our responsibilities.

Service Support

We continue to provide servicing and breakdown support to those customers who remain operational. The contact numbers can be found on our website (visit here) and we can still provide the same high level of aftersales support when required. Our technicians are exercising safety, hygiene and social distancing techniques when working on machines and interacting with customers, and we appreciate everyone’s support in ensuring this is respected.

Parts

We announced earlier this week that whilst most depots remain operational, we have closed them to “walk in” trade, but parts can still be supplied safely via direct delivery or pre-arranged collection where social distancing measure will be exercised. Our parts teams are working on a rotation basis to keep the number of people on site to a minimum.

Normal service will resume as soon as possible, but in the meantime your understanding and co-operation is appreciated.

Glasgow (Bellshill) – Reduced Hours

Birmingham – Normal Opening/Close Times

Port of Tyne – Reduced Hours

Warrington – Reduced Hours

Wrotham – Normal Hours

North London – Normal Hours

Reading – Normal Hours

Bristol – Reduced Hours

Port Talbot – Reduced Hours

Okehampton – Reduced Hours 

Sales & Machine supply

Whilst demand has obviously slowed, it has not stopped and we are still able to prepare and deliver machines safely when required, using skeleton staff to minimise the numbers on site and to allow social distancing measure to be employed. Our sales team are operating from home and available via the usual contact numbers and emails.

Working environment

We have enabled as many employees as possible to work from home during this crisis, with customers and mobile phones so they can continue to function. Our main contact number remains open and your call will be directed appropriately, and of course emails remain the same. For those staff who cannot work from home, we have put in place rotas to minimise the number of people on site at any one time, and procedures to ensure social distancing measures are exercised at all times. All customer and supplier visits have been stopped for some time now, but we have been utilising technology to maintain strong communication, both internally and externally.

We all look forward to normal service resuming, but in the meantime please stay safe, continue to follow the government guidelines and if we can be of assistance, do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

Best regards,

Dave Roberts – CEO