Talking Points<\/h4>\n\n\nKomatsu’s Chattanooga Manufacturing Operation celebrated its 40th anniversary on July 10, marking the production of its 60,000th excavator, a customized PC490LC-11 for D.H. Griffin. The facility has been integral to Komatsu’s North American manufacturing since 1985, producing medium-size hydraulic excavators and supporting engineering and supply chain operations.<\/p>\n
\n- The Chattanooga plant has expanded its capabilities, including resuming production of HM400 articulated haul trucks in 2023.<\/li>\n
- Komatsu has invested in workforce development through apprenticeship programs with Chattanooga State Community College.<\/li>\n
- CEO Rod Bull emphasized the commitment to quality and innovation by generations of employees at the facility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This milestone underscores the plant’s vital role in supplying construction equipment for infrastructure projects across North America, reinforcing Komatsu’s reputation in the industry.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Komatsu\u2019s Tennessee manufacturing facility celebrates four decades of production, highlighting its role in supplying construction equipment for customers across North America.<\/em><\/h3>\n![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/www.on-sitemag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/cq5dam.web_.1280.1280.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nTo commemorate the facility\u2019s 40th anniversary, a specially customized PC490LC-11 excavator was built for demolition, environmental and infrastructure contractor D.H. Griffin. Pictured left to right are: David Griffin Jr., President, D. H. Griffin Wrecking Co.; Hiroyuki Ogawa, Chairman of the Board, Komatsu Ltd.; Rod Bull, CEO, Komatsu North America (KNA); Steve Olson, GM, Komatsu Chattanooga Manufacturing Operation; and Walt Nichols, Vice President, KNA Manufacturing and Parts Distribution. Image courtesy of Komatsu North America.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Komatsu\u2019s Chattanooga Manufacturing Operation has marked its 40th anniversary with the production of its 60,000th excavator, reinforcing the facility\u2019s importance within the company\u2019s North American manufacturing network.<\/p>\n
Employees, customers, elected officials and community members gathered July 10 to celebrate the milestone and recognize the Chattanooga plant\u2019s contribution to the construction equipment industry since opening in 1985.<\/p>\n
The 60,000th machine produced at the facility was a customized\u00a0PC490LC-11 hydraulic excavator\u00a0built for D.H. Griffin, a contractor specializing in demolition, environmental services and infrastructure projects. The machine highlights Komatsu\u2019s continued focus on delivering equipment designed for demanding applications.<\/p>\n
Supporting construction and infrastructure markets<\/strong><\/h4>\nThe Chattanooga facility manufactures medium-size hydraulic excavators, articulated haul trucks and forestry equipment while also supporting engineering, product development and supply chain operations throughout North America.<\/p>\n
The plant has expanded its capabilities over four decades, including the return of production for Komatsu\u2019s HM400 articulated haul trucks in 2023. The facility has also invested in workforce development through apprenticeship programs developed with Chattanooga State Community College.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor 40 years, our Chattanooga plant has demonstrated what can be achieved when talented people are committed to quality, innovation and continuous improvement,\u201d said Rod Bull, CEO of Komatsu North America. \u201cReaching 60,000 excavators is an incredible milestone, but what makes Chattanooga truly special is the generations of employees whose dedication has helped build Komatsu\u2019s reputation with customers across North America.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manufacturing legacy continues<\/strong><\/h4>\nThe anniversary celebration also included the unveiling of a restored WA450-1 wheel loader, known as the \u201cOchi Loader,\u201d recognizing the employees and leaders who helped establish the facility\u2019s culture of quality and continuous improvement.<\/p>\n
For contractors across North America, the Chattanooga plant remains a key source of Komatsu equipment supporting construction, infrastructure and resource development projects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Komatsu’s Chattanooga Manufacturing Operation celebrated its 40th anniversary on July 10, marking the production of its 60,000th excavator, a customized PC490LC-11 for D.H. Griffin. The facility has been integral to Komatsu’s North American manufacturing since 1985, producing medium-size hydraulic excavators and supporting engineering and supply chain operations.<\/p>\n
- \n
- The Chattanooga plant has expanded its capabilities, including resuming production of HM400 articulated haul trucks in 2023.<\/li>\n
- Komatsu has invested in workforce development through apprenticeship programs with Chattanooga State Community College.<\/li>\n
- CEO Rod Bull emphasized the commitment to quality and innovation by generations of employees at the facility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This milestone underscores the plant’s vital role in supplying construction equipment for infrastructure projects across North America, reinforcing Komatsu’s reputation in the industry.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Komatsu\u2019s Tennessee manufacturing facility celebrates four decades of production, highlighting its role in supplying construction equipment for customers across North America.<\/em><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nTo commemorate the facility\u2019s 40th anniversary, a specially customized PC490LC-11 excavator was built for demolition, environmental and infrastructure contractor D.H. Griffin. Pictured left to right are: David Griffin Jr., President, D. H. Griffin Wrecking Co.; Hiroyuki Ogawa, Chairman of the Board, Komatsu Ltd.; Rod Bull, CEO, Komatsu North America (KNA); Steve Olson, GM, Komatsu Chattanooga Manufacturing Operation; and Walt Nichols, Vice President, KNA Manufacturing and Parts Distribution. Image courtesy of Komatsu North America.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Komatsu\u2019s Chattanooga Manufacturing Operation has marked its 40th anniversary with the production of its 60,000th excavator, reinforcing the facility\u2019s importance within the company\u2019s North American manufacturing network.<\/p>\n
Employees, customers, elected officials and community members gathered July 10 to celebrate the milestone and recognize the Chattanooga plant\u2019s contribution to the construction equipment industry since opening in 1985.<\/p>\n
The 60,000th machine produced at the facility was a customized\u00a0PC490LC-11 hydraulic excavator\u00a0built for D.H. Griffin, a contractor specializing in demolition, environmental services and infrastructure projects. The machine highlights Komatsu\u2019s continued focus on delivering equipment designed for demanding applications.<\/p>\n
Supporting construction and infrastructure markets<\/strong><\/h4>\n
The Chattanooga facility manufactures medium-size hydraulic excavators, articulated haul trucks and forestry equipment while also supporting engineering, product development and supply chain operations throughout North America.<\/p>\n
The plant has expanded its capabilities over four decades, including the return of production for Komatsu\u2019s HM400 articulated haul trucks in 2023. The facility has also invested in workforce development through apprenticeship programs developed with Chattanooga State Community College.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor 40 years, our Chattanooga plant has demonstrated what can be achieved when talented people are committed to quality, innovation and continuous improvement,\u201d said Rod Bull, CEO of Komatsu North America. \u201cReaching 60,000 excavators is an incredible milestone, but what makes Chattanooga truly special is the generations of employees whose dedication has helped build Komatsu\u2019s reputation with customers across North America.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manufacturing legacy continues<\/strong><\/h4>\n
The anniversary celebration also included the unveiling of a restored WA450-1 wheel loader, known as the \u201cOchi Loader,\u201d recognizing the employees and leaders who helped establish the facility\u2019s culture of quality and continuous improvement.<\/p>\n
For contractors across North America, the Chattanooga plant remains a key source of Komatsu equipment supporting construction, infrastructure and resource development projects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n