THIS IS THE STORY BEHIND KOMATSU’S DOMINATION IN THE CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY WORLD

Komatsu is undeniably one of the biggest names in the world of vehicles used in construction and heavy machines. Its history goes back a long way: it all started more than a century ago.

Komatsu Iron Works was founded in January 1917 by a company called Takeuchi Mining Industry. The idea behind this endeavor was for the company to manufacture mining equipment and tools for their own needs. Four years later, the newly-formed company became a separate entity and was renamed Komatsu Ltd. The first hydraulic sheet-forming press was built in 1924.

THE CRAWLER

A key moment was the introduction of the first Japanese crawler tractor in October 1931. Of course, it was built by Komatsu. Exactly 3 years after that the company’s shares were listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The company initiated the production of castings and steel materials a year later, which was the result of years of research and development. Komatsu’s rapid growth resulted in opening a new plant in Awazu in 1938. Hydraulic presses were in mass production by the end of 1941. A couple of years later the Model 1 was introduced – this was the prototype of the first bulldozer built in Japan, which was introduced in 1947 – the D50. Only a year later the first in-house built diesel engine went into production. The company moved its headquarters to Tokyo in 1952 and opened a new production facility in Osaka, followed by those in Kawasaki and Himi. The motor grader was included in the product portfolio that same year. In 1953 the forklifts, trucks and other specialized vehicles joined the company’s product range.

Komatsu made their first export in 1955 when a fleet of motor graders from Argentina was delivered successfully. That same year the first hydraulic press was exported to Argentina as well. The shovel loader was introduced in 1956, and later the same year Komatsu showcased its range at Beijing and Shanghai during and event called Industrial Goods Fair and managed to score a contract with a Chinese client for the first time ever. In 1958 an agreement was made with the Ministry of Defense in India giving Komatsu the right to manufacture tractors there.

The 60s were dynamic for the brand, as they were able to integrate a quality control program and sign an agreement regarding the production of diesel engines with Cummins Engine Co. The plant in Oyama began operating in 1962 and the first liaison office of Komatsu located overseas was opened in India.

THE GLOBAL BUSINESS ENDEAVORS

The signature Komatsu Building which is still used today as the main headquarters in Tokyo was completed in 1966, shortly after the company initiated the wheel loaders manufacturing. N.V. Komatsu Europe S.A. began operation in Belgium the following year. The first hydraulic excavator went into production in 1968, followed by the diesel engine assembly line in Oyama.

Komatsu America Corp. and Komatsu Singapore Pte. Ltd. Began operating in 1970 and 1971, followed by Dina Komatsu Nacional S.A. de C.V. in Mexico in 1974. The first construction equipment unit made offshore was a bulldozer assembled at Komatsu do Brazil Ltda. In 1975. Komatsu Australia Pty., Ltd was established four years later.

Production in Indonesia began in 1983, and a couple of years later Komatsu America Industries LLC and Komatsu America Manufacturing Corp. were founded, followed by Komatsu Industries Europe GmbH. in Germany a year later.

In 1993 the Komatsu Cummins Engine Co., Ltd. and Cummins Komatsu Engine Company were established in Japan and the U.S., respectively. The Komatsu Changlin Construction Machinery Co. began operating in China in 1995. The following years were marked by numerous other endeavors in China, the U.S., Germany, Thailand and South Africa. The Komatsu Machine Tracking System (KOMTRAX) was introduced in 1998. Komatsu Middle East FZE., founded in 1999 in U.A.E. paved the road for Komatsu towards the Middle East region. The biggest mechanical wheel loader in the world was introduced a year later.

THE ADVANCE IN TECHNOLOGY

In the dawn of the new century Komatsu decided to equip all vehicles with KOMTRAX as a standard feature. The company acquired companies in the mining and forestry equipment business as well. A few years later the first in the world Autonomous Haulage System (knowns as AHS) was introduced, followed by the first ever hybrid hydraulic excavator.

Some of the subsidiary companies were merged in 2011. Two years after that the Machine Control bulldozers were equipped with the first automated blade control system in the world.

Today Komatsu is stronger than ever and it offers a gigantic range of equipment and machinery such as electric rope shovels, wheel loaders, bulldozers, dump trucks and mining equipment. The brand also offers motor graders, forklifts, forwarders, harvesters, crushers and even tunnel-boring machines.

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