en.Wedoany.com Reported - Komatsu, a manufacturer of construction and material handling equipment, held an event in mid-July to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its manufacturing plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA, and simultaneously assembled the 60,000th excavator produced at the facility.
Known as the Chattanooga Manufacturing Operation (CMO), this plant was Komatsu's first manufacturing base in the United States and has now become a core part of the company's North American manufacturing network. The facility, which began production in 1985, currently manufactures medium and large hydraulic excavators, articulated dump trucks, and forestry equipment, while also undertaking engineering, product development, and supply chain operations functions to support customer service in North America. Over the past 40 years, the plant has continuously expanded while remaining committed to the local community, including establishing and expanding apprenticeship and other workforce development partnerships with Chattanooga State Community College.
On July 10, Komatsu stated that employees, customers, elected officials, and community members from the Chattanooga area participated in the celebration. The event showcased a range of machines manufactured in Chattanooga and featured an unveiling ceremony for the 60,000th excavator. Komatsu noted that this excavator is a specially customized PC490LC-11 model, which will be delivered to D.H. Griffin Companies, a demolition, metal recycling, and infrastructure contractor based in North Carolina.
The event also displayed a restored WA450-1 wheel loader, referred to as the "Ochi Loader." Komatsu pointed out that this machine was originally manufactured in early 1988 and is closely associated with Shohei Ochi, CMO's first Japanese general manager. The loader was restored by Chattanooga employees, and Komatsu described it as "a permanent tribute to the people who helped establish the plant's culture of quality, safety, and continuous improvement."
In terms of manufacturing operations, Komatsu transferred production of the HM400 articulated dump truck series to Tennessee in 2023, after the series had been produced in Japan since 2009.
"For 40 years, our Chattanooga plant has demonstrated what can be achieved when talent is committed to quality, innovation, and continuous improvement," said Rod Bull, CEO of Komatsu North America. "Reaching 60,000 excavators is an incredible milestone, but what truly makes Chattanooga special is the dedication of generations of employees who have helped build Komatsu's reputation among customers in North America."
