Hitachi EH3500ACII Introduced at MINExpo 2008

Tokyo, Japan, March 16, 2011 – Hitachi Construction Machinery, Co., Ltd. (HCM) would like to express our deepest sympathy to the victims of the Earthquake off the Pacific Coast of Tohoku of March 11. The following is a summary of the information gathered from the reports of March 14 up to the present time concerning the situation of the HCM Group.

Status of Major Production Bases

Some damage has occurred in buildings and production facilities, especially in production bases within Ibaraki Prefecture, but the process of determining the situation is still ongoing. Damage was relatively minor at the Ryugasaki Works, which manufactures wheel loaders, and portions of production operations are expected to restart on March 17. In addition, portions of production operations are expected to restart on March 21 at the Tsuchiura Works, which manufactures small and midsize hydraulic excavators, and on March 22 at the Kasumigaura Works, which manufactures reduction gears, slewing bearings, rollers, and other parts for small and midsize hydraulic excavators, which are a major unit of construction machinery. At the Hitachinaka Rinko Works (manufactures large and ultra-large hydraulic excavators and mining dump trucks) and the Hitachinaka Works (manufactures key components for large and ultra-large hydraulic excavators and mining dump trucks), the work of performing inspections and restoring the facilities is still ongoing. Since there has been significant damage at Ibaraki Port and Hitachinaka District, we are considering the possibility of redirecting exports to be handled in the Keihin region.

Status of Employees

Yesterday, HCM were able to confirm that all employees of the HCM Group are safe. HCM are still determining the extent to which employees’ families have been affected by the disaster.

Effect on Business Performance

At present, the impact of the earthquake on business performance is unknown. Notification will be issued promptly if it is anticipated that the effects will be severe.