On May 13, 2021, Komatsu celebrated the company’s 100th anniversary. A series of activities over the next year will be centred around the company’s commitment to its new brand promise of “creating value together”.
Komatsu is an industry-leading manufacturer and supplier of equipment, technologies and services for the construction, forklift, mining, industrial and forestry markets. For nearly a century, Komatsu equipment and services have been used by companies worldwide to develop modern infrastructure, extract fundamental minerals, maintain forests and create technology and consumer products. The company’s global service and distributor networks support customer operations, tapping into the power of data and technology to enhance safety and productivity while optimising performance.
Originally established in 1921 in Komatsu City, Japan, to sustain the surrounding community after the closure of a nearby copper mine, Komatsu has spent the past century dedicated to its founding principles of quality first, technology and manufacturing innovation, global reach and people development. Through the years, Komatsu’s continued investment in core capabilities and strategic acquisitions have connected smart, diverse people and cutting-edge technologies with a shared belief that partnerships are the best way to solve challenges and meet society’s needs.
Komatsu’s purpose is a combination of its mission and vision, and honours the company’s legacy while looking toward the future.
It’s brand promise is key to future operations: “In our next 100 years, Komatsu will focus on supporting the mining, construction, forestry, industrial machinery and agriculture industries in their transformations to the digital workplace of the future: equipment and people, connected through smart technologies on an open platform, driving towards zero harm, zero waste and zero emissions. By helping to digitalise jobsites worldwide, our customers can optimise on-site operations towards a carbon-neutral environment,” says the company.
Remaining true to Komatsu’s founding spirit, the company will continue to play an active role in supporting local communities with a specific emphasis on sustainability. As part of that commitment, last year Komatsu launched One World One Komatsu, a new online platform for Komatsu employees that challenges them to be a force for good at work, and at home. One World is a place where employees can take part in sustainability-focused campaigns and competitions, share ideas and engage with colleagues. Through One World, simple individual employee actions amplify Komatsu’s core business activities to create a collective global movement toward a more sustainable future together.
Creating value through manufacturing and technology innovation is also key to Komatsu’s prior and future success, adhering to four principles of ambition, perseverance, collaboration and authenticity:
Ambition – “With a ‘challenging spirit’ and without fear of failure, we innovate and always aspire to do more.”
Perseverance – “Even when the work is difficult, we remain committed to out promises and reliably carry them through to completion.”
Collaboration – “Creating value comes from teamwork, inclusion, respect, diversity and a win:win approach to all relationships.”
Authenticity – “To earn and maintain trust, we always act with sincerity, integrity and honesty, and communicate transparently.”