Finding solutions together in Switzerland
Dedicated to quality and innovation, Probst Maveg and HCME are perfect partners.
With origins dating back to 1945, Probst Maveg officially became a HCME dealer on 19 May 1983, following the delivery of a UH033 medium excavator. Forty years later, the family-run business is led by President Jean-Marc Probst and son Nicola, who joined the company in 2012 and became CEO in 2022.
The dealer brands itself as a high-end market supplier and always ensures that the machines it provides are of the highest quality, which explains its synergy with Hitachi Construction Machinery.
CEO Nicola Probst says: “The Hitachi name is synonymous with quality. We have found that the proportion of Hitachi Construction Machinery warranty claims are half that of our other suppliers.”
“The most popular model in Switzerland, and the one we sell best, is the ZX225US. It's a machine that suits the Swiss market very well” says President Jean-Marc Probst.
The first construction machinery dealer in Switzerland to introduce a full-service package, Probst Maveg has further prioritised after-sales activities in recent years. It has dedicated significant personnel to this area of the business and made additional investments in spare parts.
“The emphasis on after-sales activities is vital to our business model,” says Jean-Marc. “You can sell the first machine to a customer through the sales process, but their next machine is more likely to be sold by a high standard of after-sales service. We’re therefore proactive in terms of selling our after-sales services and we receive a high level of technical and promotional support from HCME.”
“We've realised that our excellent after-sales service has become the best selling point for our sales force,” says Nicola Probst.
Nicola Probst agrees with his father on the important role of after-sales. “To guarantee Hitachi's success in Switzerland, we have set up an excellent after-sales service. This is spread across our four subsidiaries, and we've realised that this has become the best-selling point for our sales force.”
Probst Maveg has more than 30 well-trained service technicians, with 30 service vehicles present in every corner of Switzerland. More than 95% of machines are sold with a maintenance contract.
After-sales Manager Mathias Schneeberger says: “A large area of our business is in full-service contracts. This means that the customer has a worry-free package. Maintenance and repairs are included in this period.
“We also have a very large stock of spare parts, which allows us to quickly supply our customers and workshop with original spare parts.”
In addition, the dealer customises machines to meet the needs of customers: “Our engineers and the whole team from our workshop develop customised solutions, which we manufacture in our inhouse welding shop in the mechanical department or in our workshop,” says Mathias.
“Hitachi is known for its performance and robust construction, and we are very proud to represent the Hitachi brand in Switzerland for over 40 years,” says Sales Manager Marco Häfliger.
Probst Maveg has always opted for a personal approach to its customers. The company decided an operator competition held at the HCME demonstration area in Amsterdam would be a fitting way to celebrate four decades of partnership with the manufacturer.
HCME hosted the unique event in October. Sixteen operators were invited from Switzerland to compete in a series of challenges using a variety of Zaxis-7 Hitachi construction machinery.
Reflecting on the past 40 years, Jean-Marc and Nicola understand the reasons behind the success of their company’s partnership with HCME. “We've worked very well together over the last 40 years, because Probst Maveg and Hitachi share the same values,” says Jean-Marc.
For Nicola, it is the cooperation between the two companies: “Listening to the stories my father and my colleagues have told me, I’ve realised that our success with Hitachi in Switzerland was due to our collaboration. In other words, the desire to find solutions together.”
Looking ahead, Jean-Marc hopes the partnership will continue for many years to come. “We hope that Hitachi will bring technological developments, for example in the hydrogen field, so that we can maintain our leading position in the market.”
Commenting on the company’s 40th anniversary as dealer, HCME President Takaharu Ikeda says: “Probst Maveg has had a huge impact on the Swiss construction machinery market over the last four decades, increasing our market share considerably. It has been a pleasure working with them over the years, and we look forward to continuing our successful partnership.”
