Komatsu UK has remained as Europe's leading excavator manufacturer since it launched its UK base in Birtley in 1985. Arguably one of the North-East's biggest success stories, it has consistently provided the construction industry in the UK and beyond with leading-edge, wheeled and crawler excavators, designed and manufactured to the highest standard. Despite increasing pressure on manufacturing companies to move abroad and reduce labour costs, Komatsu is as committed as ever to its North-East operation and is proof that with the right product, correct approach and a highly skilled and motivated workforce, growth and sustained market leadership can be achieved. Following a record year in 2004, Komatsu looks set to grow on its past success by announcing its most successful business year to date in terms of unit sales and turnover, with predicted unit sales of almost 4,000 and turnover of more than £250m for this financial year. Several large orders secured last year have provided an added boost to production, further fuelling sales and contributing to a rise in demand for Komatsu products throughout Europe, despite already exporting around 80pc of its products to Europe, North Africa and the USA. Work to fulfil these commitments is currently under way. Increases in demand and production have led the company to step up its recruitment campaign to ensure it has the skilled workforce in place to deal with such significant orders. Komatsu currently has its highest level of employees in its 20-year history, and with a healthy order book, the future of the 700-strong workforce has never looked brighter. On-going recruitment is helping to ensure that the company can keep pace with rising production. So what next for a company which continues to go from strength to strength? Finding new and innovative ways to further improve the service it provides and continuing to design and manufacture cutting-edge products are the key to further success. The company has a number of plans for this financial year which will help further boost its market-leading position. It will focus on improving customer satisfaction by shortening its delivery lead time, working with suppliers to develop their capabilities and introducing new models which comply with up and coming legislation for noise and emissions. Komatsu UK managing director, Peter Howe, says: "In 2004, we saw a substantial and rapid period of growth, something which we are extremely delighted about and which we hope will carry on. "We continue to face growing competition and pressure to be innovative in our approach to excavator design and manufacture; areas which we will further develop over the coming year to boost our reputation as Europe's best. "We are committed to strengthening our position as the leading manufacturer in the UK. We will work hard to maintain a healthy order book and to establish Komatsu as the market leader in Europe." * For further information visit www.komatsu.com or telephone 0191 410 3155 | 
