Komatsu Restructures Manufacturing

COVINGTON, Ga.—The producer of a wide range of internal combustion engine and electric lift trucks has undertaken a major restructuring and consolidation of its North American manufacturing facilities.

Komatsu Forklift USA production operations from a number of existing facilities will be moved to Newberry, S.C., where the manufacturer expects to be able to benefit from available synergies, reduce its overall operational expenses and more effectively use its assets.

The first step is to move lift truck production operations to Newberry from the present Covington, Ga., location. It is expected to take place over the next seven to eight months, with production beginning in the new location in October 2009. Following the initial move, production presently being handled in Candia, Quebec, will also move to the Newberry plant.

Other moves include the consolidation of Komatsu lift truck parts distribution into the company’s distribution facility in Ripley, Tenn. While current re-manufacturing operations in Lexington, Ky., will be eliminated, Komatsu Ltd. will continue to perform that work at other existing locations.