Komatsu America Corporation (KAC), held the grand opening of its Newberry Manufacturing Operation (NMO) in Newberry, SC, on May 29, 2002. The $20-million facility is the new home for production of four Komatsu backhoe loaders including the WB140-2N, WB140PS, WB150-2N and the WB150PS.

Located 35 mi. northwest of Columbia, SC, the NMO facility is set on 80 acres (32 ha). The 200,000-sq.-ft. facility is the fifth major manufacturing plant Komatsu has established in North America.

Komatsu Ltd. President Masahiro Sakane traveled from the company’s Tokyo headquarters to co-host the ceremony with KAC President and COO Ken Nakamura. Honored guest speakers included South Carolina Secretary of Commerce, Charles Way, Chief of Staff, James Morris, Sakane and KAC Chairman and CEO David W. Grzelak. The event also included a ceremonial tree planting using an NMO produced backhoe loader.

“This facility furthers our dedication to the utility market in North America,” said Grzelak. “It showcases Komatsu’s focus on our customers’ success and is a sign of dedication to producing high-quality Komatsu products in North America.”

Other KAC plants in North America include: two Chattanooga, TN, facilities at which excavators, mid-size wheel loaders and motorgraders are built; a Peoria, IL, facility at which off-highway trucks and large wheel loaders are built; and the Candiac, Quebec, facility that produce small to mid size wheel loaders.

KAC also has facilities in Lexington, KY, where used parts and components are restored and reconditioned, and a parts distribution hub located in Ripley, TN, and a new Technical Training Center in Cartersville, GA.

Komatsu America, including its subsidiary Komatsu America International Company (KAC), is a large supplier of construction equipment in North America, and manufactures and markets through its Construction Marketing Division the Komatsu and Galion lines of hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, crawler dozers, off-highway trucks and motorgraders.

The Komatsu Utility Division (KU) manufactures and markets the Komatsu line of backhoe loaders, compact excavators, compact wheel loaders and compact dozers to the utility, construction and rental markets. KAC and KU are supported by Komatsu Parts and Service and can be financed through Komatsu Financial.

For more information, visit www.komatsuamerica.com.

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