Liebherr USA’s commitment to customer service has impressed Hawaii’s largest concrete producer in its recent projects.
As Hawaii’s largest concrete producer, Hawaiian Cement relies on the Liebherr R 9150 as its primary excavation equipment at Halawa Valley Quarry.
The Liebherr R 9150 excavator plays a vital role in supplying essential materials for residential, commercial, and public construction projects, supporting Hawaii’s infrastructure network with high-quality construction aggregate.
As population and development rise, the pressure on Hawaii’s infrastructure continues to intensify, with many systems exceeding their intended lifespan.
Amidst these challenges in Hawaii, local companies are actively contributing to the island’s economy by generating resources, fostering employment opportunities, and supplying locally sourced materials, including the largest concrete producer in the state, Hawaiian Cement.
The producer is a vertically integrated construction materials company that plays a crucial role in Hawaii’s residential, commercial, and public construction projects.
Due to Hawaiian Cement’s extensive reach, the company owns the Halawa Valley Quarry situated on the island of O‘ahu. Originally opened in 1939, the quarry is capable of producing more than one million tonnes of aggregates and manufactured sand annually, which is then supplied to businesses throughout Hawaii, as well as to Hawaiian Cement’s three concrete plants.
To meet the high demand at the quarry, Hawaiian Cement utilises its Liebherr R 9150 to provide a powerful digging solution. The R 9150 excavator provides Hawaiian Cement with an efficient machine that has reduced downtime and improved cycle times, allowing it to fill the passing trucks more quickly.
For Hawaiian Cement, one of the most critical factors in deciding to work with Liebherr was the company’s reputation for providing exceptional customer service.
“Because we’re located on an island, responsiveness is critical to our success. There is no such thing as ‘next day’ for us in Hawaii,” Hawaiian Cement vice president of support services Sean Haggerty said.
Shipping equipment to Hawaii demands precise planning to overcome logistical and geographical hurdles. Due to Hawaii’s remote location in the Pacific Ocean, featuring narrow roads and rugged terrain, Liebherr employed precise coordination among sales, purchasing, logistics, and customer service to ensure smooth and safe operations throughout shipping, delivery, and commissioning.
Factors such as permitting and environmental safeguards are also crucial in preserving the island during its development.
From the outset, the Liebherr USA team impressed Hawaiian Cement with its technical knowledge and professionalism.
“Working with the Liebherr team from the conceptual phase through to design, build, and commission was nothing short of exceptional,” Haggerty said.
Once delivery was complete, the shovel was built on site, commissioned, and placed into operation immediately to harvest blast rock to load into haul trucks.
“From the first day we started the project through completion, I have been impressed at the build team’s technical knowledge, professionalism, and attitude,” said Hawaiian Cement maintenance manager Aaron Oga said.
As the sole cement provider in Hawaii, onsite productivity and fleet cohesion are crucial for the excavator’s day-to-day operations. As the primary digging equipment at Halawa Valley Quarry, the R 9150 seamlessly synchronised with the quarry’s haul trucks to ensure a perfect pass match, avoiding unnecessary delays.
With the R 9150, the customers’ haul trucks can now be filled in three passes, rather than the four that were previously needed.
This machine was designed to accommodate a wide array of uses and integrates seamlessly into various applications. As one of the most powerful excavators in the 150-tonne class for the quarry and mining market, the R 9150 reaches the highest excavating forces and an optimal cycle time.
Liebherr USA continues to support Hawaiian Cement with ongoing training and development for onsite personnel, focused on the operation and mechanics of the R 9150. This training will be provided by a mixture of onsite Liebherr technicians and remote monitoring services to ensure the health of this excavator for years to come.
“Because of the R 9150’s class-leading payload capacity and its increased fuel efficiency, we believe that this excavator is a fantastic asset to help Hawaiian Cement meet its expanded productivity targets,” Liebherr USA regional sales manager for southwest mining Nathan Goerke said.
“We are excited for our new partnership with Hawaiian Cement, which will allow us to demonstrate the high quality of Liebherr’s equipment and support services to the local area.”
