EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
KOMATSU INVESTS IN
SA’S GEMBA
By Tarren Bolton and Ntsako Khosa
Gemba is the Japanese word for ‘the real place’ or ‘the place where work gets done’. As
an integral part of Komatsu’s global business, Komatsu Africa Holdings sows the seeds
for future growth and expansion of the local economy.
I
n November last year, Komatsu much-needed expansion of the improved logistics, workflow, and
Africa Holdings, the southern African local economy through the seamless communication.
division of global capital equipment supply of equipment to the mining, player Komatsu Limited, unveiled one construction, and utilities markets,” particular, have become an integral
of the largest industrial campuses in the said Komatsu Africa managing part of our global business,” said
country, built in Sunnyrock, Germiston. director, Mike Blom. CEO and president of Komatsu
At a cost of R985-million, the
The campus comprises the company’s
“Africa, and South Africa in
Limited, Tetsuji Ohashi. He added that
300 000m 2 development brings head office operations, Gauteng the country is not only the company’s
together multiple previously branch, and state-of-the-art training biggest market on the continent, but
geographically dispersed operations in centre, equipment workshop, and the base from which operations in
a single, convenient complex, purpose- parts distribution centre. Construction nine separate countries across the
designed to streamline existing on a technically advanced component region are driven.
operations, and will serve as the central remanufacturing facility will begin in hub from which the company will 2019 and is set for completion the manage its widespread operational following year.
footprint across South Africa and
southern Africa.
Blom highlighted the main drivers
“What we are doing today is sowing
the seeds for future growth,” he said.
The investment comes as Komatsu
prepares to mark its centenary year
behind the development: the creation in 2021, and the promotion of its
of a safe, pleasant, and modern working mid-range management plan —
our confidence in South Africa and environment for employees and the ‘Together We Innovate GEMBA
its future and serves as a launching delivery of enhanced operational Worldwide: Growth Toward our 100th
pad to meet our objective of growth efficiencies. These will have a positive Anniversary and Beyond’ — is based
through innovation. It will also impact on the levels of service and on innovation and structural reform to
enable us to render support in the support provided to customers through accelerate growth.
“This development clearly reflects
Komatsu’s head office at
the new Komatsu Campus.
32
FEBRUARY 2019
www.plantonline.co.za