Komatsu

Komatsu Ltd. — Corporate History

Founding

Komatsu was founded in 1921 as the Takeuchi Mining Co., Ltd.'s Komatsu Iron Works in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. It began by manufacturing mining equipment and tools, and was formally established as an independent company—Komatsu Ltd.—in 1947 (renamed from Komatsu Manufacturing Co., Ltd. which was incorporated in 1921).

Expansion & Diversification

In the 1950s–60s, Komatsu expanded into construction and utility equipment, launching its first hydraulic excavator and bulldozer. The company entered the international market in 1967 by establishing Komatsu America Corp., and gradually built a global presence across Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Africa. Its slogan "Quality and Reliability"became central to its brand identity.

Today

Headquartered in Tokyo and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TYO: 6301), Komatsu is Japan's leading manufacturer of construction, mining, and utility equipment, and the second-largest in the world after Caterpillar. The company also produces industrial machinery, press systems, and diesel engines, with operations in more than 140 countries and a strong focus on IoT-based "Smart Construction" solutions.