KTEG stands for Kenki Technology Group – Kenki means construction industry in Japanese and is a hint to the Coreum-based company’s strong connections with Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd (HCM). The company’s vision focuses on innovative machines and technologies. “Innovation is important,” says Managing Director Harald Thum. “We are constantly looking to the market, listening to customers, paying attention to trends, and bringing this to our solutions.”

In 2023, KTEG began a joint venture with HCM that was established for three main reasons. The first was to combine reliable Hitachi construction machinery with KTEG’s close position to the market and its knowledge of customer needs in Europe. “We are combining the best of two worlds,” says Harald.

The next reason was to establish KTEG as a second brand beside Hitachi. In doing so, the company can broaden the Hitachi product portfolio, by adding ideas, technologies and USPs to its reliable machinery.

The third and final reason concerns speed. KTEG can cut development time by 50% because of its unique in-house product marketing, engineering and production capabilities, and its close collaboration with European partners. “The world is moving so fast, and the opportunities are there, so we have to react quickly to the challenges of the market and the needs of our customers.”

Customers and their challenges

KTEG targets high-level customers in advanced markets worldwide. “Our products go to Europe, USA, Japan, everywhere,” says Harald. All these customers face similar challenges in four main areas, according to KTEG: environment and climate protection, infrastructure, digitalisation, and employees. And these are the areas on which KTEG focuses its efforts.

“In terms of the environment, we are offering machines to zero-emission specification, with battery-powered electric and hydrogen solutions,” says Harald. “At Bauma, there will be a range from two to 30-tonne models.” KTEG also recognises the importance of the surrounding infrastructure for electric equipment and has developed products to charge these models on site. “We know that if a machine is not running, it’s not helping you. Our goal is to make machines available for the entire day.”

The need for new infrastructure and the transformation of existing systems are also areas of interest for KTEG and its customers. “This involves pipelaying, ensuring electricity is supplied to rural locations, and making way for new power supplies, so that means taking down old buildings and even power plants. We are facing this challenge with our special machines for civil engineering and demolition machines.”

The third and fourth areas are closely linked – the development of digital solutions can help operators to work more safely and efficiently. “We are focused on making operators feel comfortable in the cab, with digital assist systems, as well as ergonomically designed controls and joysticks. But we are also addressing the lack of manpower in the industry, creating digital tools that can streamline processes, and even developing multi-tool carrier machines that can work autonomously.”

Collaboration brings solutions

Illustrating its collaborative philosophy, KTEG works closely with Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) NV (HCME) in Amsterdam and its dealer network. As part of their cooperation, KTEG can produce prototypes of new machines in small batches, then introduce them to the European market via HCME dealers. Data is then gathered from both customers and dealers to enable KTEG and Hitachi to continually refine and improve the product. “This data is pure gold, it’s how we develop the best solutions.”

KTEG also relies on the established HCME dealer network to support its products after delivery. “If you launch the first machine in the market, you must be able to care for it. Together with HCME dealers, we have the perfect set-up for after-sales. It’s important for us to work closely with Hitachi dealers and we know that we can only be the best if we are providing them with the right tools and knowledge.”