Xwatch Safety Solutions, part of Hexagon, is gaining ground in Chile after MC SYSTEM SpA selected the XW4 MK2 as the main Xwatch system it will offer to customers, with early sales already confirmed and a significant order placed to support stock availability.
The move marks an important step for Xwatch in South America, bringing together the company’s UK-developed safety technology with MC SYSTEM SpA’s local expertise in machine control, surveying and Leica Geosystems technology.
Based in Santiago, MC SYSTEM SpA supports customers across Chile with machine control, GNSS, laser and surveying systems. The company has confirmed that the XW4 MK2 will become its lead Xwatch solution, chosen for its height control, rotation control and compatibility with Leica MC1 systems.
Two XW4 MK2 systems have already been sold, with MC SYSTEM SpA placing an order for eight additional units to support customer demand and maintain local stock.
The order follows a recent installation of an Xwatch system with Leica integration on a Komatsu PC490 excavator in Chile, where the machine is being demonstrated to a mining contractor. The installation has given MC SYSTEM SpA a strong real-world platform to show how Xwatch and Leica technology can work together on large machines operating in demanding conditions.
Mining remains one of the toughest environments for heavy plant. Large excavators, restricted working areas, overhead hazards, site traffic and changing ground conditions all place pressure on operators and site teams. In that setting, practical height and slew control can play an important role in helping operators work with greater confidence and control.
Jemma Dycer Hopkins, Sales and Operations Manager at Xwatch Safety Solutions, said: “This is a really positive step for Xwatch and for our partnership with MC SYSTEM SpA. What stands out is that they have looked at what their customers need, selected the XW4 MK2 as the main Xwatch solution for their market, and committed to holding stock locally.
“That matters because customers need support, availability and confidence. MC SYSTEM SpA understands its market, and the early sales show there is already interest in practical safety technology that can work alongside Leica MC1 systems.”
Dan Leaney, Head of Global Sales at Xwatch Safety Solutions, said the Chilean order reflects growing international interest in Xwatch technology, particularly where safety, machine control and large equipment applications come together.
He said: “Chile is a serious market, especially when you look at mining and the scale of the machines being used. Seeing an Xwatch system with Leica integration installed on a Komatsu PC490 excavator and demonstrated to a mining contractor is exactly the kind of application that shows where the technology fits.
“The XW4 MK2 gives customers height and rotation control in one system, and the compatibility with Leica MC1 is a key part of this story. MC SYSTEM SpA already has strong knowledge of Leica technology, so they are well placed to explain how Xwatch can sit alongside machine control and support safer operation on site.
“The fact that two units have already been sold and a further significant order has been placed for stock is a strong start. It is also a credit to Christophe, Daniel and the team, who are putting the work in on the ground.”
MC SYSTEM SpA has also produced a Spanish-language video to support operators and site teams in understanding how to use the Xwatch system. The Xwatch MKII range already includes Spanish as an operational language, which can be easily selected for Spanish-speaking operators. Xwatch is providing MC SYSTEM SpA with guidance on how to activate the setting for customers in Chile.
Christophe Boinelle, Director at MC SYSTEM SpA, said: “We decided to simplify the Xwatch offer for our customers by focusing on one model, the XW4 MK2. It gives us height control, rotation control and compatibility with our Leica MC1 systems, which makes it a strong solution for the Chilean market.
“We already have two units sold, and we have ordered additional systems so we can maintain stock and respond quickly to customers. For us, it is important to offer a system that is clear, practical and supported locally.”
Daniel Arriagada Vivar, Service and Support Engineer at MC SYSTEM SpA, has been closely involved in supporting the Xwatch activity in Chile, including the Komatsu PC490 demonstration.
He said: “The demonstration on the Komatsu PC490 is important because it allows customers to see the system on a large excavator in a mining environment. This is where the conversation becomes real. Customers can see how height and rotation control work, and how the Xwatch system can be used with Leica technology.
“Our role is not only to install the system, but to make sure operators and site teams understand how to use it. That is why we have also produced support material in Spanish. When people understand the system properly, they can use it with more confidence.”
The Chilean activity is already opening up further conversations for Xwatch and MC SYSTEM SpA. In addition to excavator applications, MC SYSTEM SpA is also working with Xwatch to identify the most suitable systems for boom trucks used in Chilean mining. These trucks are used for loading and unloading, and in some cases for lifting baskets so people can work at height.
While that requirement is still at enquiry stage, it points to wider interest in Xwatch technology across different machine types and site applications.
Dan added: “What is encouraging is that MC SYSTEM SpA is already looking beyond one application. They are asking the right questions about other machines used in mining, including boom trucks, and working with us to identify the right solution. That is how strong international partnerships develop — by listening to the customer, understanding the site conditions and matching the technology to the job.”
The XW4 MK2 forms part of Xwatch Safety Solutions’ latest generation of machine safety systems. Designed to support safer working around height and slew restrictions, it gives operators clear control of machine movement in areas where space, overhead obstructions or nearby hazards need to be managed carefully.
For Xwatch, the order and demonstration in Chile mark another important step in its international growth, with MC SYSTEM SpA providing the local knowledge and customer support needed to take the technology into one of South America’s most demanding mining markets.
As MC SYSTEM SpA builds stock and takes the XW4 MK2 to more customers, Chile is becoming an important part of Xwatch’s next phase of growth.
