Three new members for Open-S attachments alliance

Japanese rental company Nishio Rent All, US-based attachment supplier A&D Equipment (USA) and Netherlands manufacturer Zijtveld Grijpers are the latest companies to join the Open-S Alliance, the initiative to create an industry standard for automatic couplers for excavators.

Open-S, which was created in 2020 by Steelwrist and Rototilt, said the new members showed that the idea of an open standard continued to gain ground globally. The alliance now has 20 members.

Swedish company Steelwrist has joined with Rototlit to launch the Open-S standard for quick couplers on excavators

Nishio Rent All, which is the first Japanese member of the alliance and one of the top four rental companies in the country, said the move was part of its target to promote ICT-enabled (Information and Communication Technology) construction machinery to improve productivity and quality in the industry.

Takashi Kitayama, managing director and general manager of Nishio, said; “In Japan, improving productivity in the construction industry is an urgent issue due to the declining working population and shortage of skilled technicians.

“As a solution, the Japanese government is promoting ICT and digital transformation (DX), and the use of tiltrotators is one such initiative. The key to maximizing the capabilities of tiltrotators is in the standardization of attachments.

“As a rental company, we are committed to promoting the Open-S standardization and contributing to the efficiency of the construction industry in Japan and around the world.“

A&D Equipment is based in Guilford, CT, USA, and supplies excavator attachments, tiltrotators and work tools. Donna J. LaFata, its president, said; “The Open-S manufacturer standard plays a crucial role in advancing global, progressive technology and empowers consumers to build a more versatile fleet tailored to their business needs. Joining the Open-S community presents an exciting opportunity for dealers and buyers alike.”

The third new member, Zijtveld Grijpers, manufactures a wide range of demolition and sorting grabs for excavators used in construction, demolition and recycling applications.

“The idea that different brands can connect safely and reliably without endless custom solutions is something the industry has needed for years”, said Marcel de Jong, managing director of Zijtveld Grijpers.

“We believe in giving customers freedom of choice, without compromising on quality or safety. By joining Open-S, Zijtveld Grijpers reinforces its commitment to openness, innovation, and making life easier for machine operators and builders.”

Stefan Stockhaus, chairman of the board of the Open-S Alliance, who is also founder and CEO of Steelwrist, added; “I am happy to welcome these companies as Open-S members, including our very first member in Japan.

“We pass an important milestone as the alliance now has 20 member companies from all over the world, all committed to building a standard for automatic couplers. I meet more and more manufacturers that see the value of offering customers products that enhance efficiency and safety on the jobsite without locking them into a proprietary solution.”