In 1986 a production, distribution and marketing partnership for plant machinery was agreed between Fiat and Hitachi began, with the original plan to build a limited range of Hitachi crawler excavators in Fiat's factory in San Mauro, Turin, Italy. In the 1990s, HCME increased production at Oosterhout, starting to produce mini excavators, which with an extension of coverage into Russia lead to a trebling of production volumes. In October 1998, Euclid and Hitachi agreed a distribution partnership. This resulted in a new part distribution centre being opened at Oosterhout in April 2000, so that HMCE could take over the exclusive distribution for Euclid dump trucks parts. In March 2001, Hitachi and Fiat terminated their joint venture relationship.