On-site Visit to Komatsu

Established in 1921 as a small repair shop for mining machinery in Komatsu City, Japan, Komatsu has since grown to become a global giant, boasting a group of 144 companies worldwide that employ over 47,000 people and operate 40 manufacturing plants.

In 1985 Komatsu decided to establish a UK operation and the Komatsu UK plant (KUK) was officially opened two years later in the North East by HRH Prince Charles.

In the past 28 years KUK has produced over 62,000 hydraulic excavators and current staff levels are around 400.

Guided by the seven pillars of the ‘Komatsu Way’, this is your chance to see behind the scenes at how the whole workforce engage in continuous improvement activities including safety circles, quality circles, Kaizen and skills competitions in the form of the Komatsu Olympics.

The managements guiding principles are SLQDC (safety, law, quality, delivery and cost) in the pursuit of corporate social responsibility and the drive towards quality and reliability.

A rare chance for members to gain a first-hand insight into the culture that makes Komatsu so successful, this exclusive on-site visit will also give you the opportunity to tour the production facility and perhaps even operate one of the demonstration excavator machines!

FREE for members; places are limited.