CEN DEC
8
HALF A CENTURY LATER,
the reputation of durability and performance in the field is still
relevant and Komatsu continues to win over the next generation of plant machine operators.
In the 1960s, family-owned Illings (Pty) Ltd, based in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, concluded an
agreement to bring a limited selection of Komatsu machines to the country. Shortly thereafter,
the company sold a Komatsu D50-11 dozer to the Department of Bantu Administration and
Development on 29 October 1963.
Besides the introduction of various other bull dozer models D60, 80 and 120 that followed
in the 60s, Illings introduced the Komatsu GD37 motor grader in 1964 and the HD180 dump
truck in 1969.
Growing up tough
Soon agriculture and construction industries prompted the expansion of the range of Komatsu
equipment, resulting in the company catching the attention of multinational mining and
industrial giant, Anglo American, which bought the company in 1967, retaining the Illings
name.
The 1970s saw consolidation and acceptance of the brand as a leader in the market and
by 1977, the company became known as Sigma Motor Corporation, Equipment and Truck
Division. In 1979 the company was renamed Sigma Power Corporation (a division of Sigma
Motor Corporation). By now the range had expanded to include HD320, 460 and 680 dump
trucks, the W70, 90 and 120 wheel loaders, the WS23S motor scraper and introduced D155
and D355 bull dozers.
In 1981 the equipment division was renamed KSA Equipment (Pty) Ltd and marked the
beginning of exclusivity with Komatsu equipment. The introduction of PC 200 excavators, the
HD785-1 dump truck, the D455 bull dozer, GD623 motor grader and the JV100 rollers, were
added to the over the next decade.
Current position
Investments across border have led to far-reaching benefits for the company.The recent award
of a multi-million Rand tender to supply of 23 Komatsu 960E dump trucks and supporting
equipment to Husab Uranium Mine in Namibia, is an example of how the reputation of the
company and the quality of equipment has grown.
Komatsu SouthernAfrica is determined to realise its vision as a leading supplier in the industry,
offering reliable high quality products, paired with exceptional customised after sales service.
Investment in a state-of-the-art parts distribution centre (PDC) promises to improve parts
delivery dramatically and remanufacturing facilities will soon
give customers the ability to
extend service lives of their machines.
Here’s to another 50 years of Komatsu in Southern Africa!
During the pioneering entry of
Japanese heavy equipment into
the country in the early 1960s,
Komatsu machines struck a
chord with local operators and
the brand grew in stature.
Celebrating 50 years in SA
Komatsu Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd
Tel:
(011) 9231000
Fax:
(011) 923 1303
Email:
Web:
looking back on 2013
Spreading wings
By the
1990s
Komatsu Ltd increased its range of
mining equipment and procured Haulpak in the
USA - the manufacturer
of electric dump trucks
- and Demag of Germany, the manufacturer
of large mining shovels. These products where
marketed by Komdresco.
In
1991
, a joint venture between KSA
Equipment (Pty) Ltd and Dresser South Africa,
established Komdresco.
In
1995
Komatsu Ltd acquired 50% stake in
Komdresco with Anglo American Corporation
remaining the other shareholder.
In the same year, Indresco Namibia Limited was
established.
In
1997
Komatsu Ltd acquired an 80% stake in
Komdresco and established Komatsu Southern
Africa (Pty) Ltd.
1998
saw the name of Indresco Namibia
Limited changed to Komatsu Namibia Limited, as
a subsidiary of Komatsu Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd.
In
1997
, Komatsu Southern Africa acquired
Tswana Equipment – the Komatsu Distributor in
Botswana – from Anglo American Corporation
and Indresco BV, and established Komatsu
Botswana (Pty) Ltd.
In
2005
, Komatsu Namibia Mining Equipment
Limited was established as a subsidiary of
Komatsu Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd, with Komatsu
Zambia Limited, following suit in 2010.
Major supply contracts for electric drive dump
trucks, like those to Sishen (Iscor) iron ore mine
and Grootegeluk coal mine, were some of
the biggest at the time, firmly positioning the
company as a market leader in South Africa.
LOOKING BACK
ON 2013
