Who makes the Hitachi chainsaw ?

[Matt]

Post Split off into a new Topic

plug and fuel(quality) is a great start as the previous posts state!

i dont mean to hi-jack this thread, but who makes the engines in the hitachi equipment?? are they any good? see there line at the lowes store.

[KE4AVB]

They are Tanaka's which are now owned by Hitachi. Hitachi is selling them under both brand names currently. We will probably be seeing more Hitachi branded 2 cycle equipment as time goes by as they switch the consumers over to the Hitachi brand name.

Here is a brief history of the Tanaka Company>

Started in 1918.

In 1989, Tanaka’s USA assets and marketing rights were purchased by the Ariens Co. of Brillion, Wisconsin. Soon after, a new subsidiary company of Ariens, Tanaka Ltd., was established to continue marketing and support of Tanaka products. In 1990, a new line of Ariens brand 2-cycle handheld products (made by Tanaka) was introduced for Ariens Distributors and Dealers. In 1992, Ariens discontinued its relationship with Tanaka and ISM was established by a five long-time Tanaka employees.

In May of 2007, Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd from Japan acquired Tanaka and created two new companies- Nikko Tanaka Engineering Co., Ltd. to conduct OPE manufacturing and domestic sales in Japan and then Nikko Tanaka Engineering USA Ltd., to conduct North American sales and support, based out of Auburn, WA.

By January 2009, the business functions of Nikko Tanaka Engineering USA were fully absorbed as a brand within Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd’s North American division; Hitachi Koki USA Ltd (commonly referred to as Hitachi Power Tools) based out of Norcross, GA. The goal has been to create synergy between Tanaka Outdoor Power Equipment and the Hitachi Power Tool business resulting in improved business efficiencies, and the collaboration of product lines to benefit from technological innovations, as well as share in R&D endeavors going forward.

[Matt]

They are Tanaka's which are now owned by Hitachi. Hitachi is selling them under both brand names currently. We will probably be seeing more Hitachi branded 2 cycle equipment as time goes by as they switch the consumers over to the Hitachi brand name.

Here is a brief history of the Tanaka Company>

Started in 1918.

In 1989, Tanaka’s USA assets and marketing rights were purchased by the Ariens Co. of Brillion, Wisconsin. Soon after, a new subsidiary company of Ariens, Tanaka Ltd., was established to continue marketing and support of Tanaka products. In 1990, a new line of Ariens brand 2-cycle handheld products (made by Tanaka) was introduced for Ariens Distributors and Dealers. In 1992, Ariens discontinued its relationship with Tanaka and ISM was established by a five long-time Tanaka employees.

In May of 2007, Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd from Japan acquired Tanaka and created two new companies- Nikko Tanaka Engineering Co., Ltd. to conduct OPE manufacturing and domestic sales in Japan and then Nikko Tanaka Engineering USA Ltd., to conduct North American sales and support, based out of Auburn, WA.

By January 2009, the business functions of Nikko Tanaka Engineering USA were fully absorbed as a brand within Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd’s North American division; Hitachi Koki USA Ltd (commonly referred to as Hitachi Power Tools) based out of Norcross, GA. The goal has been to create synergy between Tanaka Outdoor Power Equipment and the Hitachi Power Tool business resulting in improved business efficiencies, and the collaboration of product lines to benefit from technological innovations, as well as share in R&D endeavors going forward.

thanks for the info, this equipment should prove to be viable then, tanaka had a decent reputation but never saw any my way. prices are definately good at the big box store here. thanks again

[RoyM]

Tanaka has always had a good name, big problem in Canada was distribution. It was pretty limited under Modern Power Products (a division of MTD). I sold a lot of ice augers, ice fishing is very popular. These guys want a powerful, light weight and reliable machine, most are pretty cranky. Their lawn edger is popular with the landscapers who are willing to spend extra for performance and reliability.