Yanmar CE EMEA’s production facility in Crailsheim, Southern Germany has marked a significant milestone in the company’s history: the completion of their 16,000th wheeled excavator.
The achievement was celebrated on 4th September, with a custom-painted Navy Grey B110W unit proudly wearing an exclusive 16k sticker to commemorate the event.
The production team at the Crailsheim plant gathered around the wheeled excavator in a half-moon formation as Kai Hacker, representing Yanmar CE, stepped forward with a wide grin to affix the ‘Celebrating 16,000k excavators’ sticker to the machine.
The exterior cabin of the excavator was also adorned with an exclusive glossy geometrical print, seamlessly transitioning from grey to Yanmar’s iconic ‘Premium Red’ – a striking color combination that added an extra layer of significance to the celebration.
Stefan Rückartt, Yanmar plant manager at the Crailsheim site, expressed his pride in the achievement: “Our team is proud of every machine that is completed here in the factory. The fact that we can now count 16,000 shows that our production site is very efficient – despite the pandemic and the resulting supply bottlenecks, some of which continue to this day. The anniversary number allows us to look to the future with motivation.”
Yanmar CE has a rich history of manufacturing wheeled excavators, spanning over half a century. The production journey began in Langenburg and subsequently moved to various locations, including Gerabronn and Rothenburg ob der Tauber, before returning to its Crailsheim roots. At present, the Crailsheim plant manufactures three wheeled excavator models, weighing between 7.5 and 11 tonnes: the B75W, the B95W, and the B110W anniversary excavator, with the latter being the heavyweight champion of the trio.
Jürgen Boschet, responsible for quality and production at the Crailsheim plant with 33 years of service at Yanmar, shared his enthusiasm for the wheeled excavator: “For me, the wheeled excavator is a very interesting and very comprehensive piece of equipment. I want to pass on my knowledge and skills so that such high-quality machines can be produced in the future.”
Yanmar CE is committed to building on this remarkable success by continually enhancing production processes, operator workplace ergonomics, and compliance with the latest legal requirements. The company also upholds the values of the broader Yanmar Group, emphasizing respect for people and communities.
Matthias Leidenberger, Yanmar CE product manager for wheeled excavators in Crailsheim, expressed his pride in the accomplishment: “It is a great milestone and a great experience to be involved in building 16,000 wheeled excavators. I am proud to contribute and be part of this success story.”
Leidenberger extended his gratitude, saying, “I would personally like to thank our loyal customers and all employees who have contributed to this moment – we couldn’t have done it without your support. You are the real heart of our success.”
