Case Study on Komatsu Limited
I. Background of the Study
Komatsu had its origin 1894 when the Takeuchi Mining Company was founded. A major expansion occurred in 1917 when the Komatsu Iron Works was established to manufacture mining equipment and machine tools. The name Komatsu came into existence in 1921 when iron works separated from the mining company to become KOMATSU ltd. Despite a name that means “little pine tree”, Komatsu produces line up of big equipment. The company is the world’s second largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, after Caterpillar Inc.
Komatsu is a diversified company engaged in manufacturing and selling of construction equipment, industrial machinery and vehicles. In addition, the company has interest in other business such as housing, transportation, and logistic equipment.
The company has global operations spanning four continents; Asia, America, Europe, and Africa and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
In the 1920’s and 1930’s, the firm grew as a major manufacturer of machine tools and pumps, and their firm’s first farm tractor in Japan was produced in 1931.
During the Second World War, Komatsu became a key provider of bulldozers, tanks, howitzers.
Company History
1921 | Komatsu was established | 1960 | -Entered licensing agreement with US International Harvester & Bucyrus-Erie.-launched “Total Quality Control” concept. | 1963 | Caterpillar entered Komatsu’s backyard with Mitsubishi | 1964 | -began Project A-received Deming Prize | 1972 | Launched Project B | Late 1970’s | -Initiated V-10 campaign-Komatsu America was established | 1967 | Komatsu Europe was established | 1981 | -celebrated 60th anniversary-launched “EPOCHS”-achieved Japan quality Control Prize |
SWOT Analysis | Strength | 1. Wide range of products for every Construction & Mining equipment need2. Geographic diversification, Presence in many developing countries3. Also diversified into industrial machinery and vehicles, logistics, electronics and other
Komatsu had its origin 1894 when the Takeuchi Mining Company was founded. A major expansion occurred in 1917 when the Komatsu Iron Works was established to manufacture mining equipment and machine tools. The name Komatsu came into existence in 1921 when iron works separated from the mining company to become KOMATSU ltd. Despite a name that means “little pine tree”, Komatsu produces line up of big equipment. The company is the world’s second largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, after Caterpillar Inc.
Komatsu is a diversified company engaged in manufacturing and selling of construction equipment, industrial machinery and vehicles. In addition, the company has interest in other business such as housing, transportation, and logistic equipment.
The company has global operations spanning four continents; Asia, America, Europe, and Africa and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
In the 1920’s and 1930’s, the firm grew as a major manufacturer of machine tools and pumps, and their firm’s first farm tractor in Japan was produced in 1931.
During the Second World War, Komatsu became a key provider of bulldozers, tanks, howitzers.
Company History
1921 | Komatsu was established | 1960 | -Entered licensing agreement with US International Harvester & Bucyrus-Erie.-launched “Total Quality Control” concept. | 1963 | Caterpillar entered Komatsu’s backyard with Mitsubishi | 1964 | -began Project A-received Deming Prize | 1972 | Launched Project B | Late 1970’s | -Initiated V-10 campaign-Komatsu America was established | 1967 | Komatsu Europe was established | 1981 | -celebrated 60th anniversary-launched “EPOCHS”-achieved Japan quality Control Prize |
SWOT Analysis | Strength | 1. Wide range of products for every Construction & Mining equipment need2. Geographic diversification, Presence in many developing countries3. Also diversified into industrial machinery and vehicles, logistics, electronics and other