Komatsu Expands Production Capacity of the Shonan Plant, its Production Center of Key Components for Hybrid Hydraulic Excavators

Komatsu Ltd. (President and CEO: Kunio Noji) has recently expanded the production capacity of the Shonan Plant in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, which manufactures key components for hybrid hydraulic excavators.

In June last year, Komatsu introduced the PC200-8 hybrid hydraulic excavator, the world’s first hybrid construction equipment on the market, to the Japanese market. Starting this year, Komatsu is working to expand the market for the PC200-8 Hybrid in China, as the main targeted market, where demand for construction equipment is growing.

Shonan Plant manufactures components for hybrid equipment, i.e., power-generating motors, motors to turn the upper structure of excavators, inverters and capacitors. These components are then sent to the Osaka Plant in Hirakata, Osaka, which assembles the PC200-8 Hybrid. Komatsu spent JPY1.66 billion for capital investment to expand production capacity at this time. As a result, Komatsu is now able to produce 100 units per month.

In August this year, Komatsu launched the market introduction of the PC200-8 Hybrid in China. We are also planning to introduce it to the United States in the second half period of 2009. From a viewpoint of the life cycle of construction equipment, ranging from development, production and use to disposal, the largest amount of CO2 is emitted in the phase of customers’ use. Based on our tests, the PC200-8 Hybrid has achieved a 25% reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions on average and 40% at maximum. We would like to fulfill all responsibilities as a leading company as we continue to aggressively introduce construction equipment which features reduced environmental impact, including reduced CO2 emissions.

Outline of Komatsu’s Shonan Plant

Representative: Kou Shimizu, Plant Manager of Shonan Plant, Production Division

Address: 3-25-1 Shinomiya, Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

Site area: Approx. 68,000 square meters

Floor area: Approx. 26,000 square meters

No. of employees: 173 persons

Production: Controllers, monitors, KOMTRAX terminals, and components for hybrid construction equipment (power-generating motors, motors to turn the upper structure of hybrid hydraulic excavators, inverters and capacitors)