Kubota and Kanasugi new members of Open-S

Open-S at CSPI in Japan (Image: Open-S)

Kubota joins the independent organisation as a global excavator manufacturer, while Kanasugi Construction becomes the first contractor to join Open-S.

At the same time, the standard has been expanded with the OS40 coupler size, bringing the benefits of open compatibility for fully automatic quick couplers to compact excavators between 2 and 7 tonnes.

Manufacturer of mini excavators, Kubota joins the Open-S Alliance as a supporting member.

“At Kubota, we believe that greater interoperability is key to improving productivity and operational efficiency on today’s jobsites. By supporting Open-S in Europe, we want to give our customers more choice when combining machines, couplers and attachments from different manufacturers, helping them maximise the value of their equipment investments,” said Keigo Okamoto, president, business unit CE Europe, Kubota.

Also joining as a supporting member, Kanasugi Construction is a Japanese general contractor active in public infrastructure projects including river works, roads, bridges, water and sewerage systems, and seismic reinforcement.

The company is an early adopter of digital construction technology. By joining Open-S, it brings an important end-user perspective to the organisation, demonstrating a growing interest among contractors in open and interoperable equipment solutions, said Open-S.

“The future of construction should be open. Contractors need the freedom to combine excavators and hydraulic attachments from different brands through a common, fully automatic coupling system. […]

“By putting this standard to work on our own sites, we hope to demonstrate its value and encourage more general contractors in Japan to move toward a shared, open standard,” commented Yusuke Yoshikawa, president and representative director.

The Open-S standard has also been expanded with the addition of the OS40 coupler size which was presented in June during a press conference at CSPI-EXPO in Japan.

The new size extends the standard into the compact excavator segment between 2 and 7 tonnes which is particularly important in Japan, as well as in many other markets around the world.

“We are very pleased to welcome both Kubota and Kanasugi to the Open-S Alliance. Their membership represents two important developments for Open-S: continued support from major machine manufacturers and, with Kanasugi, the first contractor joining the organisation. Bringing the end-user perspective into Open-S is an important step as the standard continues to develop,” stated Anders Jonsson, chairman of the board, Open-S Alliance.

“At the same time, the addition of OS40 extends Open-S into one of the most important compact excavator segments globally, and particularly in Japan.”