Insights from Mike, Founder of Viking West!
What is your history with the factory that produces your pins?
First time I met our pin supplier was in 2004. At that time I was the Operations Manager for Deere-Hitachi’s forestry excavator factory in British Columbia. We were looking for a new pin supplier and Hitachi strongly recommended this supplier. We started purchasing pins from this supplier in 2005 and I continued our relationship with this factory when I founded Viking West in 2013.
What is this suppliers main business?
Their main business is supplying all types of pins to Hitachi Construction Machinery factories around the world for new excavator production.
Are there any differences in the specifications for your pins compared to Hitachi’s requirements for new excavator production?
No there is not, material is the same, heat treatment is the same, and manufacturing dimensions and tolerances are the same.
Have you had any quality problems or warranty claims for these pins?
In the past 11 years we have only had one warranty claim associated with these stick and H-Link pins.
Your pricing on these pins is quite good compared to your competitors, why is this?
Simply because this factory has very good economies of scale due to their volume of business with Hitachi factories worldwide. Also because of our long history of cooperation with this factory.
Do you source any other pins from this factory?
Yes, we source many sizes of thumb pivot pins and cylinder mounting pins from this factory. We are constantly looking for ways to grow our business with this supplier.
