Skilled expertise on display at Komatsu’s Advanced Technician Competition

In an industry where equipment downtime can disrupt operations and increase costs, skilled technicians play a critical role in keeping jobs moving. That was on full display at Komatsu’s Advanced Technician Competition (ATC), where top technicians from across the North America dealer network tested their expertise in real-world scenarios.

Held at the Komatsu Cartersville Customer Center in Georgia, the event brought together 10 elite technicians for a hands-on competition focused on diagnosing issues, performing inspections and delivering a strong customer experience.

“Our customers can’t live without our field techs, and ATC is one of the best opportunities to highlight their skill set and ability to diagnose issues and identify fixes,” said Griffin Reome, director of technical workforce development at Komatsu.

Built on real-world challenges

The competition mirrored field conditions, with technicians rotating through three stations featuring different machines and problem scenarios. Participants worked on a PC220LCi-12 IMC excavator, a D71PXi-24 IMC dozer for diagnostic challenges, and a WA320PZ wheel loader for a full machine inspection.

Each competitor had one hour per station to diagnose issues or complete a full machine inspection. Komatsu experts introduced complex “bugs” into the equipment, requiring a methodical approach grounded in training and experience.

“It was designed to be as close to real life as possible,” Reome said. “If they followed their training fundamentals, they could find the resolution.”

More than technical skill

ATC evaluated more than repair ability. Judges assessed communication, professionalism, safety and documentation — all key elements of the customer experience.

Judges also acted as customers, providing background information and evaluating how well technicians communicated throughout the process.

“Communication was extremely important because it’s the first line of contact with the customer,” said Andrew Earing, director of operator and technical training at Komatsu. “Technicians had to use that information, along with their skills, to diagnose and resolve the issue. It’s also critical for keeping customers informed.”

Focused on uptime and workforce development

The competition highlighted the direct link between technician expertise and customer uptime. Fast, accurate troubleshooting and proactive inspections help prevent breakdowns and keep equipment operating efficiently.

It also comes as the industry faces a shortage of skilled technicians. Komatsu uses events like ATC to recognize top talent and support workforce development through training and career opportunities.

“ATC aligns with Komatsu’s broader efforts to grow the technician workforce through education partnerships, training programs and career development opportunities,” Reome said. “The number one thing we want them to know is that we’re not successful without them.”

Each winner of the Komatsu ATC received a selection of Komatsu-branded prizes and merchandise. In addition, the top two finishers earned an exclusive “Day in the Life” experience with the opportunity to get up close and work alongside the race team to see how a pit crew operates at the recent Miami Grand Prix, United States, made possible through Komatsu’s ongoing partnership with the Atlassian Williams F1 Team.

Komatsu plans to continue the Advanced Technician Competition in the years ahead, reinforcing its focus on supporting technicians and the customers they serve.