Technology And Communication - The Way Forward

Komatsu completes a century on May 13, 2021. A hundred years of enabling cities to develop and grow. From then till now, the company operates on trust as its lifeline. Plant & Equipment takes a look at what the company is projecting the next 100 years to be like.

Komatsu is turning 100 years old on May 13 this year. Achieving success and steady growth has come through dedication, quality excellence and a reliable customer support system. The manufacture and sale of superior quality machines for the construction, mining, forestry and industrial sectors has been its core business for the last century. Over this time the company has worked in parallel to create a robust CSR and environment protection strategy, with a key focus on enhancing the quality of life and developing its people.

The company’s Middle East arm Komatsu Middle East (KME) is also turning 44 in the UAE and 57 in the region this year. In March 2019, KME inaugurated its 46,298 sq metres state-of-the-art facility amongst guests and distributors from the entire Africa and Middle East region. This facility was established to serve their clients and customers for the region from it and to continue Komatsu’s journey in assisting in developing these nations.

Located in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, this new brand centrepoint provides unparalleled product support for distributors and customers. The warehouse also has unique features such as a dedicated training and demonstration facility used to mainly contribute to the ‘In-Country Value Programs’ for the Middle East and Africa countries as part of the Komatsu commitment to global CSR.

Mid to large sized construction equipment is the main product demand in the Middle East, hence wheel loaders, hydraulic excavators, bulldozers, motor graders, dump trucks are most sought after with local clients. Of these, the most popular product is the hydraulic excavator and different countries require the excavators in different sizes. In the UAE, the 40 tonne PC400-8R is most in-demand while in Oman, Kuwait and Egypt it is the 30 tonne PC350-8M0 model which is most sought after. In Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Jordan the hydraulic excavator PC210-10M0, 20 tonne model is the one most in use. Generally, in the Middle East, the most in-demand hydraulic excavator size is between the 20 tonne to the 50 tonne range. In recent enquiries, some regional countries are showing an increasing interest in the larger size 80-90 tonne class range as well.

Komatsu machines have proved to be agile, sturdy and reliable at all job sites.

Komatsu has paid magnified attention to their customer needs in lieu of the new normal. While the pandemic is an immense challenge it has also thrown light on how the workplaces of the future should be. Construction sites and underground mining projects now have new requirements. Different physical locations of the brand have adhered to respective government’s policies and regulations. Top priority for the company is the health and safety of employees, customers, partners and their families. Being an essential business that supports social infrastructure, Komatsu feels committed to ensure an ongoing supply of products, parts, services and solutions to customers that are continuing their operations, while taking precautions against the spread of Covid-19.

What is clearly visible to the company is that the global Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the construction, heavy equipment and industrial sectors in a variety of ways. The most prominent findings for Komatsu have been how different customers’ jobsites need to be, their workstyles, and how communicating and engaging with stakeholders need to change. Since the job site today has different needs - no crowded or confined spaces or close interactions, Komatsu has seen a direct increase in the demand for machines capable of remote, automated and unmanned operations.

Since last year, Komatsu has moved the workstyle to telecommuting for 90 percent of its employees at its headquarters in Japan and for over 50 percent of employees at indirect factory divisions during emergencies and lockdowns. Komatsu sees telecommuting as becoming a permanent part of its work process to create a highly productive hybrid work environment to facilitate operations during and after the pandemic.

Here’s looking at the next 100 years

Komatsu foresees a future of global digital workplaces where equipment, material and terrain can be converted to data, which when connected digitally on an open platform gives visibility on the entire operation. And working together with partners and optimal technology will help Komatsu gain insights on how best to address challenges and create a safe, productive, smart and clean workplace. Being connected digitally, Komatsu sees higher operational efficiency and a carbon neutral future. For instance, for the mining workplace, Komatsu foresees a zero harm, zero emission and zero waste environment made possible by autonomous machines. The mining workplace will not only be environmentally responsible, but also highly productive, supporting society’s growing needs. For the construction industry, Komatsu foresees optimising all activities on an open platform with optimised planning, 24/7 operation, leading to reduced project durations, zero emissions using autonomous equipment, improving a variety of machine utilization rates, and securing a carbon neutral environment.

Komatsu is developing autonomous machines for the construction/mining site of the future.