When Kobelco first returned to Europe in 2013, the location of its headquarters and spare parts warehouse in Almere, the Netherlands, was ideally situated for servicing its European dealers. Over the past 10 years, KCME has continued to enjoy fast, but controlled dealer network growth, and now prepares to expand its operations to a much larger, purpose built facility in Lelystad.

KCME has been working with renowned 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 new facility, which is close to the A6 motorway, will comprise of three main buildings, including warehouse facilities, training centre and three storey offices. There will also be a demonstration field for Kobelco construction machinery.

A key milestone in the building project was achieved recently when the first foundations were dug by Mr. Makoto Kato, managing director of Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe B.V. (KCME) using a brand new Kobelco SK270SRLC-7 excavator. The ceremony took place in the presence of Mr. Dennis A. Grimbergen, deputy mayor of the City of Lelystad, and Mr. Akira Yamamoto, president and CEO of Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.

The new KCME headquarters, expected to be completed by 2025, will meet the latest sustainably requirements. All building work is being completed with particular attention to energy saving materials, processes and techniques. The energy neutral building will also be surrounded by sympathetic landscaping and ecological facilities. The announcement of the expansion coincides with KCME’s 10th anniversary celebrations, which recently took place at a special event in Amsterdam.

KCME managing director, 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.”