In setting up its new West Coast branch, Komatsu has purchased Buller Trucks, its Service Partner on the Coast for the past four years – with former owner Bernie Schwass continuing to work for Komatsu.
According to Mike Colbert, Komatsu NZ’s service partner manager, the company decided to establish a company-owned West Coast branch to build its capabilities and profile in the West Coast.
"Strategically there’s a lot of mining and construction work for us on the Coast, with some of our biggest customers in New Zealand based here," he said.
"This move allows us to give them the levels of support they require, along improved support for other customers we are picking up in the region.
"Key customers here include the Stockton Mine, which is operated by Kaipara, Solid Energy’s mine and Holcim’s quarry operations – along with contractors and subcontractors providing mining support services and general construction works in the region," said Colbert.
As part of the move to a dedicated Komatsu branch, the company is moving to purpose-built premises – a former Ministry of Works workshop – at 1 Forbes Street, Westport. These are being totally refurbished for Komatsu, with the move-in is scheduled happen during April.
Colbert said the company would be appointing a branch manager for the operation, with Bernie Schwass staying on as part of the transition management team.
"Our decision to purchase Buller Trucks was a mutual one," he said. "We recognised we needed a greater presence on the West Coast, and Bernie was looking to exit his business."
Schwass said Komatsu’s business on the West Coast was "at a crossroads", making the timing of its purchase of his company ideal.
"There was definitely a need for Komatsu NZ to be represented on the Coast at a branch level, including the substantial investment required for branch infrastructure," he said.
"I was looking for an exit package from Buller Trucks, so this was a tremendous opportunity for both of us."
Schwass has had a long association with Komatsu and its products, predating his company’s appointment as a Komatsu Service Partner in 2004.
"I’ve been working with Komatsu equipment since the early 1980s, carrying out mechanical work on excavators and other products at the Stockton mine," he said.
Komatsu’s establishment of a branch on the West Coast is part of an on-going program to expand its operations throughout New Zealand.
Last year it set up a Christchurch branch, so it now has a total of three branches in the South Island – Invercargill, Christchurch and now Wesport – joining its Auckland and Rotorua branches in the North Island.
And in addition to its workshop facilities at all branches, it also operates satellite workshops in Silverdale, north of Auckland, and Cromwell in Central Otago.
At the same time, it is continuing to expand its Komatsu Service Partner network, with the most recent appointment being Construction and Machinery Services as its Wellington Service Partner.
"We are also looking to appoint additional Komatsu Service Partners in both the North and South Islands," said Colbert.
"For us, the Service Partner network perfectly complements our branch network, allowing us to give the highest-possible levels of service and support to our customers throughout New Zealand," he said.