The Minister of Trade and industry, Dr Rob Davies officially opened the new R985 million Komatsu campus in Germiston, Gauteng. This is one of the first realisation of the commitments announced at the recent Presidential Investment Conference last month.
The new Komatsu campus is one of the largest single owner industrial complexes in South Africa. The 300,000 m2 facility incorporates Komatsu head office operations, the Isando branch, parts distribution centre, equipment workshop and technical training centre.
Speaking at the opening, Davies said the expansion and investments by Komatsu demonstrates the confidence that the company has in the future of South African manufacturing sector and skills development of its employees.
“With 2 500 employees in the Southern region, we are pleased that Komatsu is looking at the full value-chain of supply management, and this is evident in the announcement made by the company as it consolidates their operations, part distribution, equipment workshop, technical training centre and headquarters under one plant to retain the existing 953 jobs. This is a significant contribution towards addressing the challenge of unemployment and skills development,” said Davies.
Davies added that it has been evident throughout the years that most of the Japanese investments in the continent are long-term and consistently of high quality concentrated on training and upgrading employee’s skills.
“I am pleased to see the Japanese companies strengthening, increasing and expanding their footprint in South Africa as the regional hub which bodes very well for the South African economy,” he said.
The President and Chief Executive Officer of Komatsu, Mr Tetsuji Ohashi, said Africa and South Africa in particular, have become an integral part of their global business. He said South Africa was 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.
“The investment comes as Komatsu prepares to work towards its centenary year in 2021 and the promotion of its mid-range management plan. What we are doing today is sowing the seeds for future growth,” he added.
The Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Rob Davies and the CEO of Komatsu, Mr Tetsuji Ohashi at the official opening of the Komatsu plant in Germiston, Gauteng.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry
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