The Takeuchi Mfg. Co. Ltd. has revised its privacy policies. The document, which has been in effect since August 6, 2018, governs the handling of personal data from employees, distribution partners, customers, machine operators, and website visitors. The policy applies to the entire Takeuchi Group, including subsidiaries in the USA, UK, and France. For you as an operator of Takeuchi machines – such as mini excavators or compact excavators – this means concrete obligations and rights in dealing with your data.

What data does Takeuchi collect?

The privacy policy names three main categories: First, personal data such as email address, first and last name, phone number, and complete address including postal code and city. Second, usage data – automatically collected information about your behavior on the website, such as IP address, browser type and version, visited pages, and time and duration of access. Third, location data, if you have activated the location function on your device.

Particularly relevant for construction machinery operations: The policy allows the collection and storage of location information. This affects all machines equipped with telematics solutions. Many modern compact excavators and wheel loaders continuously transmit position data, operating hours, and maintenance intervals to the manufacturer. The new privacy policy obligates Takeuchi to obtain your consent beforehand – you can activate or deactivate location services at any time in your device settings.

Cookies and tracking: What happens on the Takeuchi website?

Takeuchi uses cookies – small files stored in your browser – and related tracking technologies such as pixels, beacon tags, and scripts. The privacy policy distinguishes three types:

  • Session cookies: necessary for website operation and service functions
  • Preference cookies: store your settings and individual parameters
  • Security cookies: protect against unauthorized access

You can set your browser to reject cookies or warn you before each cookie. However, Takeuchi warns that this may make some website functions unavailable – such as personalized machine searches or saving configurations in online equipment planning.

How does Takeuchi use the collected data?

The privacy policy lists several purposes. Takeuchi uses the information to provide and maintain services, inform about changes, offer interactive features, and provide customer support. Additional purposes include collecting analytics to improve offerings, monitoring usage, identifying and resolving technical problems, and sending newsletters, marketing information, and product news – unless you have objected. You can unsubscribe from these communication channels at any time, either via the unsubscribe link in the email or by direct instruction to Takeuchi.

Legal basis under GDPR

Takeuchi bases data processing on the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The policy names four possible legal bases: contract fulfillment – such as in machine purchase, maintenance contracts, or warranty processing; explicit consent, which you can withdraw at any time; legitimate interests of the company that do not outweigh your rights; and legal obligations, such as for retention of business documents.

For fleet managers, this means: If you manage multiple Takeuchi machines via a central telematics platform, this requires your explicit consent to data transmission. Takeuchi may only store this data as long as necessary to fulfill the stated purposes.

How long is data stored?

Takeuchi promises to retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes stated in the policy. Storage duration is based on legal retention requirements – such as for invoices, contracts, and warranty documents – the need for dispute resolution, and enforcement of contractual and legal agreements. Usage data for internal analysis is typically retained for shorter periods, unless it serves security, service improvement, or is required by law to be retained longer.

Data transfer outside the EU

Important for international machine fleets: Your data may be transferred to and stored on servers outside your country or legal jurisdiction. Data protection laws there may differ from those of your jurisdiction. By accepting the privacy policy and transmitting your information, you consent to this transfer. Takeuchi commits to taking all appropriate measures to ensure that your data is handled securely and processed in accordance with the privacy policy.

What does this mean in practice?

For construction companies using Takeuchi machines, three central consequences emerge. First: When procuring new machines with telematics equipment, carefully examine what data is transmitted and whether you can selectively control the transmission. Second: Exercise your right to object to marketing communications if you only want technical service information. Third: If you pass personal data of machine operators to Takeuchi – for example in connection with training or warranty cases – inform your employees about the data sharing.

The privacy policy is available on the global Takeuchi website at www.takeuchi-mfg.co.jp. Changes are published there. For questions about specific data processing, contact your Takeuchi distribution partner or directly through the website.

Those interested in digital topics related to construction machinery can find further information in the topic portal BIM and digital construction site. There we explain how data flows from planning to machine control and what data protection issues arise.