KOMATSU African Holdings, the Southern African division of global capital equipment player KOMATSU LTD, has unveiled a new industrial hub built at a cost of R985-million in Sunnyrock x 11, Tunney, Germiston, east of Johannesburg.
The 300 000 m2 development is one of the largest industrial campuses in the country and will serve as the central hub from which the company will manage its widespread operational footprint across South and southern Africa.
The venture brings together multiple previously geographically dispersed operations in a single, convenient complex that has been purpose-designed to streamline existing operations and enable the business to capitalise on future market resurgence opportunities.
“This development clearly reflects our confidence in South Africa and its future and serves as a launching pad to meet our objective of growth through innovation. It will also enable us to render support in the much-needed expansion of the local economy through the seamless supply of equipment to the mining, construction and utilities markets,” said managing director Mike Blom.
The campus comprises the company’s head office operations, Gauteng branch and state-of-art training centre, equipment workshop and parts distribution centre. Construction on a technically advanced component remanufacturing facility will begin in 2019 and is set for completion the following year.
Safe, pleasant and modern
Blom highlighted the main drivers behind the development: the creation of a safe, pleasant and modern working environment for employees and the delivery of enhanced operational efficiencies. These will have a positive impact on the levels of service and support provided to customers through improved logistics, workflow and communication.
“Africa, and South Africa in particular, have become an integral part of our global business,” said CEO and president of KOMATSU LTD Tetsuji Ohashi. He added that the country is not only the company’s biggest market on the continent but the base from which operations in nine separate countries across the region are driven.
“What we are doing today is sowing the seeds for future growth,” he said.
The investment comes as Komatsu prepares to mark its centenary year in 2021 and the promoting of its mid-range management plan – ‘Together We Innovate GEMBA Worldwide: Growth Toward our 100th Anniversary and Beyond’ is based on innovation and structural reform to accelerate growth.
‘Gemba’ is the Japanese word for ‘the real place’ or ‘the place where work gets done’.
PARTS DISTRIBUTION CENTRE (PDC)
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21 000 m2 in size and 23% larger than the previous facility
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Inventory of around 40 000 line items valued at R885-million
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Distributes around 12 000 pieces to more than 40 destinations every day
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Features semi-automated turret trucks enabling safe, accurate access to the highest racking areas
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Stock processing undertaken using KOMATSU Warehouse Management System and SAP interface
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Features best practices in warehouse design and operations from Japan, Europe and Australia
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‘Supermarket’ techniques are employed to keep fast-moving items at eye level to optimise picking cycle times
TRAINING CENTRE
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The learning hub features a technical, health and safety, and operator training dojo focused on meeting employee and customer skills requirements
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Features revolutionary virtual reality technologies with realistic machine controls for simulated operator training and testing
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Over the past five years, more than 130 apprentices have gone through the Komatsu apprenticeship programme
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The centre currently offers 36 courses and has provided training for more than 2,300 people over the past three years
