Komatsu

For nearly two decades, the Gold Coast Indy has been a major fixture on the Australian racing circuit. 2008 will see it join the prestigious world IndyCar Series as the final round of the year. You CANNOT miss this one! As major sponsors of the competing Triple Eight V8 car, Komatsu are fronting up with the goods: more

Komatsu Ltd has announced the release of the world’s first hybrid (electro-hydraulic) excavator, which went on sale in Japan on June 1, 2008, delivering fuel savings of between 25% and 40%. more

Komatsu Australia has released the PC1250-8 excavator/shovel, designed for applications in mining, quarrying and heavy construction. more

Komatsu NZ is substantially expanding and upgrading its customer support capabilities as part of a move to a more customer-focused approach that began some years ago. more

Komatsu Australia has introduced Komatsu Genuine Attachments, a range of buckets and quick hitches specifically matched to the company’s construction excavators and wheel loaders. more

Upper Hutt-based contractor M&M Construction has recently purchased two Komatsu compact excavators following a trial period that showed them be superior to equivalent machines from other suppliers. more

Komatsu Australia has continued its support for the Beacon Foundation, with significant interaction between Komatsu employees and young Australians through Beacon programs including its highly regarded No Dole project. more

Central Earthmoving, a family-owned contractor based at Geraldton, WA, carries out very detailed research when selecting new equipment – resulting in it opting for Komatsu for all its recent purchases. more

Komatsu NZ has opened a new branch at Westport, on the South Island’s West Coast, as part of its on-going strategy of expanding its service and support capabilities throughout New Zealand. more

When recently established Auckland-based utility contractor Bodley Brothers needed to purchase new excavators, principals Doug and Corey Bodley asked around the industry, as well as applying their own experiences in the construction business over many years to come up with one answer: Komatsu! more

Divall’s Earthmoving & Bulk Haulage, a Goulburn, NSW-based company, has recently returned to buying Komatsu equipment, including excavators and articulated dump trucks, as a result of inferior parts and service backup from other suppliers. more

The product support and backing of the entire Komatsu organisation has kept Armidale-Dumaresq Council coming back to Komatsu equipment – with the council’s latest purchase being a PC18MR-2 mini excavator. more

Wollongong-based contractor Cato Constructions – which celebrates 20 years in business this year – purchased its first Komatsu machine 13 years ago on the basis of engineering quality, reputation as a distributor, and support. more

In early February, Leighton Contractors held a family open day at the Rotowaro mine site west of Huntly, where it operates the mine on behalf of Solid Energy. Komatsu NZ was a major sponsor of the day. more

Komatsu has released the D39EX-22 dozer, a 9 tonne, 71 kW hydrostatic drive machine featuring a "super-tapered" bonnet design said to give the best all-round visibility of any dozer on the market. more

Over the past 12 months, leading trans-Tasman civil contractor Fulton Hogan has purchased a significant number of Komatsu wheel loaders and mini excavators for its South Island operations – the first time it has purchased Komatsu products in the past few years. more

A strong relationship between Sydney contractor JCM Contracting and Komatsu’s Sydney utility representative Matt Watton – backed by the customer support team – has seen the company purchase six Komatsu excavators over the past four years. more

A fleet of 42 Komatsu 830E dump trucks – including 12 new trucks added in the past year – has been giving exceptional performance and availability at Zinifex Century Mine in Queensland’s Gulf region. more

A Komatsu BR380JG-1 mobile crusher owned by leading New Zealand contractor Higgins Contracting is playing a key role in the construction of New Zealand’s biggest wind farm to date, at Makara, southwest of "windy Wellington". more

Victorian landscaping and excavation specialist TreeLawney is in the process of trading its fleet of excavators across to Komatsu as a result of the company’s "faultless" service and support. more

Komatsu Australia has announced a number of upgrades to its GXX series of graders, delivering improved performance and reliability. more

Komatsu Australia has announced a significant expansion of its Queensland construction and utility operations, with the expansion of its support and representation in North Queensland. more

Western Australian plant hire company Forte Plant Hire has invested heavily in Komatsu articulated dump trucks and excavators over the past few years. more

A Gippsland, Victoria contractor has recently converted his excavator fleet to all-Komatsu due to the personalised service and support he receives through his local Komatsu Australia branch. more

Doug Hood Mining Limited, one of New Zealand's leading contractors and contract miners, has recently bought its first Komatsu dozer, a D155AX-6, for use at Solid Energy's Stockton Opencast Mine north of Westport. more

Two Victorian "committed scraper men" who recently switched to a combination of Komatsu articulated dump trucks and excavators for the productivity and cost-reduction benefits, used Komatsu Australia Corporate Finance to finance their new equipment fleet. more

Komatsu Australia has recently appointed Roger Beddard to oversee the process of managing tenders, supply contracts and pricing for its mining equipment division. This position is seen as a key role within the National Mining Group. more

Komatsu Ltd has announced plans to build a new manufacturing plant in Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture, for the construction of its PC4000 400-tonne class mining excavators and shovels. more

Komatsu Australia has released the PC14R-2HS mini excavator, a 1.5 tonne short-tailswing machine featuring class-leading productivity and control, and ease of maintenance. more

Komatsu Australia has released the WA250PZ-5 wheel loader, fitted with a new "PZ" linkage system that combines the benefits of Z-bar and parallelogram linkages in a single loader. more

Hunter Valley-based mining and civil construction contractor Bowditch & Partners Pty Ltd is a family-based company that has successfully ridden the demand for construction and resources-based services over the past 16 years. more

Three new Komatsu D65EX-15 dozers have recently been delivered to the Soil Conservation Service Division of the NSW Department of Lands.  (SOILCON) more

Komatsu Australia has released the Dash 8 version of its 30 tonne-class PC300 excavator - and including a number of additional features as standard, with the aim of further driving down owners' operating costs. more

Three Komatsu machines - a D375A-5EO dozer,PC300-7EO excavator and PC450-7EO excavator - have delivered the highest levels of performance and reliability for a major industrial park complex in Sydney's Western Suburbs. more

A South Australian landfill operation has recently purchased an additional three Komatsu machines for recycling and resource recovery operations, based on key factors including safety, best-fit for the purpose and customer support. more

Komatsu Australia held a major customer event in early August, inviting construction sector customers from around Australia and New Zealand to a facility in the NSW Hunter Valley to view its latest new products and services. more

Delta Rent, one of Australia’s newest rental firms – formed in mid-2006 and specialising in hiring large construction and quarrying equipment – recently purchased a Komatsu WA600-6 wheel loader and a PC600LC-8 excavator as a package for use in its rental operations. more

A Komatsu WA600-3 wheel loader with around 19,000 hours was recently rebuilt to as-new condition for Boral’s Dunmore Quarry, south of Wollongong, by Komatsu Australia’s Fairfield branch more

One of Australia’s fastest-growing pipeline contractors, Eco Civil, runs a substantial fleet of Komatsu equipment, as part of its role in constructing some major Queensland water infrastructure projects. more

Komatsu Australia has released new versions of its 27 tonne and 36 tonne capacity articulated dump trucks, featuring new ecot3 technology engines, which deliver significantly lower emissions, improved fuel consumption and increased power and torque. more

J Swap Contractors Ltd – based at Matamata, NZ, south of Auckland – is a long-term customer of Komatsu NZ, and it was no surprise when the company added a new D155AX-6 dozer to its fleet in December last year more

Twelve months ago, Gladstone City Council, in central Queensland, replaced its earthmoving equipment with a new fleet of Komatsu machines – with a Council analysis showing lower whole-of-life costs for the Komatsu equipment. more

Jonathan Borthwick, Komatsu Australia’s Mining Sales Manager, East Coast, is part of the company’s mining sectors marketing team, based at Komatsu Australia’s new Mining headquarters, which recently relocated to a dedicated new office at Eight Mile Plains, Brisbane. more

Komatsu Australia has released a low-emission version of its successful BR380JG-1 crusher, the new BR380JG-1EO, featuring its ecot3 low-emission system, beefed up safety systems and improved hydraulics. more

The first short-tail excavator in Komatsu’s Dash 8 low-emission range has been released, with the launch of the PC138US-8. more

Brisbane-based owner-operator (and Speedcar racer) Barry Wixted bases his business around a Komatsu SK714-5 skidsteer and PC30MR-2 excavator – a combination he says is ideal for his plant hire work throughout Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. more

With the on-going shortage of skilled earthmoving equipment operators, the construction industry increasingly has to take responsibility for training operators and other key trades required in the industry. more

Strong mining industry growth and the changing needs of the business has prompted Komatsu Australia to establish a dedicated mining office in the Brisbane suburb of Eight Mile Plains. more

The customer support and assistance provided by a Komatsu Australia team in delivering a complete fleet of mining equipment to a remote Western Australian island has won strong praise from BGC Contracting, the contract miner on the project. more

Komatsu Australia (KAL) has been awarded the prestigious 2007 Komatsu Presidents Award. more

Komatsu Australia has just released the PC2000-8 mining excavator/shovel, a 200 tonne unit that replaces the PC1800-3 excavator/shovel, and which offers lower operating costs, increased fuel efficiency and the highest levels of operator safety. more

In December 2006 Komatsu Australia launches its new Customer Direct service, allowing customers to directly contact Komatsu's total customer support team from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call, simply by calling 1300 KOMATSU (1300 566 287). more

Most people don't know you can own a brand new Komatsu mini excavator from under $200 per week. When you compare this to the cost of hiring, which starts from around $300 per day, the benefits of ownership really start stacking up - even for semi-regular excavator users. more

Komatsu Australia has released the HD785-7, a 100 US ton capacity dump truck, featuring the highest horsepower and brake retardation in its class, a variable horsepower engine system for greater fuel efficiency, and the largest, most comfortable cab on the market. more

Komatsu Australia has announced a Dash 6 update to its general construction loader range with the release of the WA380-6 loader, offering significantly improved fuel efficiency, better balance and increased operator comfort. more

Komatsu Australia is part-way through delivery of a large dozer and truck order to the largest truck-and-shovel coal mine in Australia, Rio Tinto’s Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) mine. more

South Australia's Coorong District Council, around 100 km south east of Adelaide, has recently taken delivery of its fifth item of Komatsu equipment in the past three years – based on machine reliability, the ease of doing business with Komatsu Australia and operator preference. more

We profile Gary Steen, one of three Komatsu Australia customer support sales representatives based in our Fairfield branch. Gary, who started with Komatsu 15 years ago, is one of Komatsu Australia’s longest-serving and most successful customer support people, a role he first took on when he was appointed Sydney product support representative in 1998. more

Komatsu Australia’s Newcastle branch recently achieved a milestone in lost-time injury-free days, when it went past 1200 LTI-free days in July. more

Komatsu Australia has opened a new branch in Cairns, North Queensland, with facilities including an 850 sq m fully equipped workshop, a 150 sq m parts storage area and an office, staffed by two fitters and two parts interpreters. more

Komatsu Australia has donated parts and components worth nearly $500,000 to Hunter TAFE’s Kurri Kurri campus, for use in training of heavy vehicle plant mechanic apprentices. more

A Beacon Foundation project, in association with the East Kimberley-based Wunan Foundation, has been established in the East Kimberley region to develop construction industry-based skills for young Aboriginal people. more

Carl Grundy has been appointed Komatsu Australia’s new national sales manager, utility, responsible for the sales and marketing of Komatsu’s range of mini excavators, compact wheel loaders, backhoe/loaders and skidsteers. more

Over the past 12 months Komatsu Australia has established Komatsu Utility Central (KUC), an assembly and distribution centre for its utility range of products, allowing it to prepare and deliver machines faster throughout Australia, with a higher standard level of build quality and workmanship. more

Komatsu Australia has just released the PC2000-8 mining excavator/shovel, a 200 tonne unit that replaces the PC1800-3 excavator/shovel, and which offers lower operating costs, increased fuel efficiency and the highest levels of operator safety. more

Komatsu Australia has just released the Dash 6 version of its popular WA500 wheel loader – the latest in its range of ground-breaking Dash 6 wheel loaders, powered by its ground-breaking low-emission ecot3 engine, transmission and hydraulic technology. more

Komatsu Australia has released two new quarry and heavy construction machines in its advanced new Dash 8 excavator series. The new excavators are the PC600LC-8 (60 tonnes) and the PC850SE-8 (80 tonnes). more

Penrice Soda Holdings Ltd, Australia`s only manufacturer of soda ash, has recently entered into a "power-by-the-hour" contract with Komatsu Australia for the supply of a complete fleet of dump trucks, wheel loaders and excavators, plus a dozer, water trucks and grader, for its Angaston limestone quarry in South Australia`s Barossa Valley. more

Komatsu Australia is in the process of introducing some major changes to its safety management system to assist everyone in the company to better manage workplace health and safety. more

Steve Jones Hardware and Landscape Centre, a leading Brisbane landscaping materials supplier has recently taken delivery of Australia`s first two WA100-5 wheel loaders, following good performance from its previous loaders -- two Komatsu WA75-3s. more

It is with great sadness that we report the recent passing of Barry Potter, a long-time member of the Komatsu management team in Australia since joining the company in 1977. Barry, who was the first-ever editor of Down to Earth (D2E) magazine, was national training manager when he retired in September last year. Jim Playsted, Komatsu Australia`s GM Tasmania, who worked with Barry for over 20 years, penned this tribute to him. more

Komatsu Australia has recently released the WA100-5 wheel loader, the second in its Dash 5 compact loader range. more

With Komatsu Australia's recent appointment of Ian Harvison as general manager, information technology, the company has moved to make its IT operations a key element of its executive management team more

When bushfire season comes to South Western Australia, tough, reliable and safe equipment for quickly building firebreaks and clearing burning trees and other material is essential. more

Leading Tasmanian contractor Hazell Bros has recently put in an order for 18 new items of Komatsu equipment -- including seven machines for materials handling applications at zinc producer Zinifex`s Hobart smelter wharf loading facility. more

The new generation (Tier 3/Stage III-emissions compliant) engines now on the market from leading construction equipment suppliers provide very low emissions levels to meet the latest environmental regulations. But how well do they deliver in terms of fuel economy and long-term durability? Angus Fotheringham, Komatsu Australia’s Business manager, general construction, provides some answers. Click here for Video  more

September 1, 2006: Huntly-based Colin Slater Contractor Ltd -- a long-term Komatsu customer -- has overcome some extraordinary challenges since starting business in 1983, culminating in 50% partner and manager Bronwyn Slater recently being awarded HER Business magazine`s HER Businesswoman of the Year. more

September 1, 2006: A Komatsu PC300LC-7 excavator fitted with an IR Montabert CPA524 drill has recently been delivered to Railcorp`s Bombo Quarry, near Kiama south of Wollongong. more

Komatsu Australia has announced a major focus on reducing the costs of its customers doing business, through some key developments and initiatives introduced over the past 12 months more

August 17, 2006: Komatsu Australia is in the process of delivering a large fleet of dump trucks as well as a third mining excavator to Wambo Coal, based northwest of Singleton in the Upper Hunter Valley of NSW. more

Komatsu`s just-released Dash 8 excavators feature a new "safety cab" design which will set new standards in safety for excavator operators. more

Komatsu Australia recently appointed Andrew Martin, as its general manager for mining and Queensland/New Caledonia Operations. more

Husband-and-wife team Cran and Kerry Riches, of Warrayappa Sands in South Australia find their two Komatsu wheel loaders -- which both of them operate -- quiet, comfortable and easy to drive for their sand-extraction business. more

Australasia`s first WA600-6 new generation wheel loader is winning praise from management and operators Boral Country Concrete & Quarries` Seaham Quarry, north of Newcastle in New South Wales, for its comfort and performance. more

Komatsu Australia`s Hunter Valley branch at Mt Thorley, near Singleton, is shaping up as a major success story for the company, with a number of significant sales made in recent months -- which will keep it busy doing deliveries for most of 2006. more

Auckland-based quarry operator and plant hirer Warren Fowler Earthmovers Ltd has recently taken delivery of a new Komatsu BR380JG-1 portable crusher following seven years of highly reliable and productive service from its BR350JG-1. more

Hirequip, New Zealand`s leading general equipment hire company, has recently taken delivery of over 80 Komatsu excavators for hire through its national network. more

A 1996 Komatsu PC300-6 excavator has logged around 19,000 hours for Sydney-based Benedict Sand & Gravel in challenging quarrying operations and minimal downtime. more

Victorian civil contractor Virgona Excavations has stuck with Komatsu excavators since buying its first one in 1984, all due to the combination of machine reliability and Komatsu service. more

With trends towards extended oil life and a 500-hour oil drains as standard on some engines, increased attention to oil analysis results is essential. more

Equipment dependability and a strong relationship with Komatsu Australia has helped contractor Jack Hawkins and Sons build itself up as a significant force supplying critical services to major Sydney manufacturing plants more

Smorgon Steel Group Ltd, Australia`s leading steel recycler, operates a purpose-built fleet of Komatsu excavators modified and strengthened for steel handling. more

With trends towards extended oil life and a 500-hour oil drains as standard on some engines, increased attention to oil analysis results is essential. more

Komatsu Ltd`s president and CEO, Masahiro Sakane, has been picked as one of the top 50 business leaders in Asia by Asian BusinessWeek magazine. Mr Sakane was named as number 20 (and was the only representative of a construction and mining equipment manufacturer in the list). more