SCAI is one of the longest-standing members of the Hitachi dealer network – its first link to the brand dates back to 1983, when it represented the Japanese brand in Umbria, Tuscany, Lazio, and Sardinia. In 2003, when Hitachi made a 49% investment in the company, SCAI expanded its sales territories throughout Italy.

Further expansion in 2006 covered Malta, Albania, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia, and Montenegro. Commenting in 2007, then SCAI President Ernesto Cesaretti said: “We decided to form a partnership with Hitachi because we were sure that their products would be the best.”

SCAI is based in Perugia, with seven branches, 45 workshops, 27 rental points and 140 employees. Following an expansion of the Italian network in 2020, SCAI continues to provide high levels of service to customers in Lombardy, as well as central and southern regions.

A strong customer-oriented approach has been key to SCAI’s success ever since the company was founded in 1945. Established in Assisi by the Cesaretti brothers, it started in agricultural machinery manufacturing, and specialised in the conversion of vehicles used in WWII.

The company’s slogan, il genio in movimento (the genius in motion), also links to its customer focus. “It refers to thinking in an inquisitive and innovative manner, when an engineer develops a new machine or a salesman cooperates with a customer,” says Elisa Cesaretti, SCAI’s Marketing Communications Manager. “The motion in the mind is like an earthmoving machine; the customer inspires our engineers and salespeople to push forward and achieve new standards of creativity and excellence.”

The 20th anniversary of SCAI and Hitachi’s cooperation follows the 50th anniversary of HCME last year. The long history of both companies has made for a successful long-term partnership. “Our companies are two professionals, united in customer satisfaction: Hitachi for the product and SCAI for the organisation of local services,” says Elisa. “Together with Hitachi, we have managed over the years to become the market leader of the Italian market.”

HCME President Takaharu Ikeda says: “We wish to congratulate our loyal partner SCAI in reaching this special milestone. We are proud of their achievements in the Italian market, most recently winning the HCME Rent2Rent award for growing the Hitachi Premium Rental programme within and outside of Italy in 2022. We greatly appreciate their support and cooperation over the years, and we look forward to many more years to come.”