Covington, GA – March 6, 2009. Komatsu Forklift U.S.A., Covington, Georgia, and
Komatsu America Corporation, Rolling Meadows, Illinois, announced today a
restructuring and consolidation of manufacturing facilities within North America.
As part of this restructuring, Komatsu’s forklift production operation will be moved from
Covington, Georgia to Komatsu’s Newberry Manufacturing Operation in Newberry, South
Carolina. This move will allow Komatsu to take advantage of available synergies,
reduce overall operational expenses, and more effectively utilize assets. Komatsu
America Corporation and their production teams have many years of experience in
running a number of world class manufacturing operations, and will be able to use their
expertise to improve manufacturing efficiencies and improve Komatsu Forklift’s cost
competitiveness in the marketplace.
“This move will allow Komatsu Forklift to focus on our sales, marketing, and dealer
support efforts in North, South and Central America,” noted Komatsu Forklift President,
Akira Yamakawa. “In these difficult economic times, we see this as a necessary move to
reduce our operational costs and better meet the needs of our dealers and customers.”
The transition of production from Covington to Newberry will take place over the next 7
to 8 months, with forklift production beginning in Newberry in October 2009. Komatsu
Forklift’s parts distribution will be consolidated into Komatsu’s Ripley, Tennessee
distribution facility at a time to be determined, and sales, marketing and product support
related functions will also be relocated at a later date.
Additional restructuring moves announced by Komatsu America today included the move
of production from Candiac, Quebec Canada to the Newberry plant, and the closing of
the re-manufacturing operation in Lexington, Kentucky. Komatsu Ltd. will continue
remanufacturing operations in other existing locations.
Komatsu Forklift U.S.A. offers a wide range of internal combustion engine and electric
model forklifts with capacities from 3,000 to 35,000 pounds. Komatsu stands behind
their products with superior service, genuine OEM parts, and a comprehensive warranty
program administered through a dependable dealer network with over 195 locations
throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central & South
America. Since 1921 Komatsu has been a global leader in the construction and mining
equipment industry. And since 1945, Komatsu Forklift has built upon that heritage by
producing innovative, high-quality, durable and reliable forklifts to meet and exceed the
needs of their customers.
For further information about Komatsu Forklift please contact Komatsu Forklift U.S.A.,
Inc, Marketing Department, 14481 Lochridge Blvd., Covington, Georgia, 30014. Phone
Number (770) 788-3440, Fax Number (770) 385-6003, or visit the Komatsu Forklift
website at http://www.kfiusa.com or send e-mail to kallmandinger@kfiusa.com