Hitachi Construction Machinery and Yanmar Holdings have announced the first reciprocal OEM supply arrangement under a collaboration they began exploring in 2026. The agreement covers compact track loaders and compact excavators in North America and follows a letter of intent signed on July 23, 2026.
Under the arrangement, Yanmar Compact Equipment North America will supply Hitachi Construction Machinery Americas with compact track loaders manufactured in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Hitachi plans to begin selling the machines in North America under its LANDCROS brand in fall 2027.
In the other direction, Hitachi will supply compact excavators for distribution through Yanmar's North American dealer network. The two companies said the reciprocal supply plan draws on complementary product portfolios, manufacturing solutions and distribution networks.
The companies said they will continue discussions on broader collaboration while maintaining the distinctiveness of their respective brands and sales channels. They also said customer and dealer value remains the top priority as they develop the compact equipment business.
Market focus
Hitachi said North America's compact track loader market exceeds 100,000 units in annual demand and is the largest segment of the compact equipment market. Masafumi Senzaki, president and executive officer of Hitachi Construction Machinery, said the region is a key focus and that offering CTLs under LANDCROS is especially meaningful. Hitachi plans to introduce the LANDCROS corporate brand in April 2027; the CTL sales launch is planned for fall 2027.
Senzaki linked the collaboration to the open strategy in Hitachi's medium-term management plan, LANDCROS 2028. He said co-creating new businesses and value with partners is central to the brand and that the companies will build on both brands and sales channels.
Executive comments
Tetsuya Yamamoto, executive vice president and representative director of Yanmar Holdings, said the collaboration is an opportunity to combine Yanmar's strengths in the North American compact construction equipment market—its products, manufacturing expertise and dealer network—with Hitachi's strengths. He said Yanmar sees potential for further market expansion through mutual supply of products beyond compact track loaders.
Yamamoto added that the companies hope to build a partnership that uses each company's strengths to create new value and support long-term, sustainable growth. Hitachi's Senzaki said the first step is launching the initiative in North America and that the companies intend to deliver greater value to customers and dealers while growing their compact equipment businesses.
The arrangement is an OEM supply agreement, not a merger or a single-brand sales channel. Each company will continue to maintain its own brands and distribution. The first Hitachi-branded CTLs from Yanmar's Minnesota plant are planned for fall 2027, while Hitachi's compact excavators will be offered through Yanmar dealers.