This study examines Komatsu’s activities in Western Europe and is an update of the profile last published by Off-Highway Research in September 2009.

Since that time the company has struggled with weak market conditions and a highly competitive environment in Europe.  This has seen it lose market share in some areas, particularly the compact equipment segment.  However, it has largely retained its strong positions in the larger equipment categories.

Market conditions over recent years have seen Komatsu reorganise some aspects of its European production.  Its plant in Italy has taken on a larger number of excavators in the 10 to 20 tonne range, for example, leaving Komatsu UK to focus on crawler excavators of 20 tonnes and above, for example.  Despite difficult conditions since the global financial crisis, Komatsu has pushed ahead with the introduction of some significant new technologies in Europe.  These include its intelligent machine control systems for certain models of excavators and dozers, along with two hybrid excavator models, which are manufactured in the UK.