Kobelco Construction Machinery announces the opening of a new company owned dealership in New Zealand. The establishment of Kobelco Construction Machinery New Zealand (KCMNZ) will enable Kobelco to streamline excavator sales and parts support across the country with a direct-to-market approach from 1st July 2023.
From a new facility which will be opened south of Auckland, KCMNZ will handle all new Kobelco excavator sales from 1-85 tonnes, including demolition and specialist scrap and material handling machines. KCMNZ will also offer full aftersales service and support to its customers.
This new venture will streamline the delivery process from the factory to end-customer in the most timely and cost-effective way. Specialist Kobelco-trained technical support will also be based in New Zealand, to provide technical expertise to support customers in achieving long-term success.
Kobelco Genuine Parts will be imported directly from the factory to the National Parts Distribution Centre south of Auckland, with an increase in parts inventory on the ground, for a quicker turnaround and less downtime for customers. Additional back-up support will continue in the form of an overnight freight service from the Sydney warehouse.
Managing Director, Paul Torrington, said: “Building market share and presence in the New Zealand market is a priority for Kobelco. By implementing a direct-to-market strategy, with factory backing, we can provide customers with the high quality, yet cost-effective and efficient sales and support systems that Kobelco owners expect.”
The move is another sign of the premium Japanese brand’s commitment to growing its market position in New Zealand as a leader in the excavator space, providing the most reliable machines with low fuel consumption and exceptional aftersales service. Kobelco is in discussion with current New Zealand Kobelco dealer MIMICO regarding an ongoing service and support arrangement to enable continuous service to customers currently supported by MIMICO branch locations.