Komatsu’s Newberry facility celebrates 25 years of manufacturing, teamwork and continuous improvement

October 5, 2026 -- Komatsu's Newberry Manufacturing Operation (NMO) is celebrating 25 years of manufacturing excellence and its longstanding commitment to the Newberry, South Carolina, community. On October 2, employees, dealer partners, elected officials and community members gathered to commemorate the anniversary.

The celebration provided NMO the opportunity to demonstrate machines manufactured at the facility, showcasing the teamwork, craftsmanship and continuous improvement that have defined the operation for the past 25 years. More than 53,000 machines have been manufactured at the facility over the past quarter century. To commemorate that achievement, a special 25th anniversary model of the WA485-11 wheel loader — a flagship model and one of the newest wheel loaders manufactured at the plant — was unveiled during the event.

Opened in 2001, NMO became Komatsu’s fifth major manufacturing facility in North America, strengthening the company’s ability to bring products closer to the North American construction, utility and rental markets. The facility initially manufactured backhoe loaders before expanding production to include wheel loaders and forklifts as market demand evolved, further strengthening its role in serving the North American market.

Over the past 25 years, the facility has grown significantly, expanding from approximately 200,000 square feet to more than 300,000, and from 22 employees at its opening to approximately 250 employees today. Beyond its manufacturing achievements, NMO has remained a dedicated community partner, actively supporting and participating in events and initiatives throughout the Newberry area. The facility is proud to be a longstanding member of the community and looks forward to continuing its legacy of manufacturing excellence and local involvement for years to come.

“Reaching 25 years is a significant milestone for Newberry Manufacturing Operation and a testament to the dedication, skill and commitment of our employees,” said Rod Bull, CEO, Komatsu North America. “From the facility’s beginnings with a small team producing backhoe loaders to the diverse manufacturing operation it is today; Newberry’s success has been built by the people who come to work each day focused on delivering quality products and continuously improving what we do.”

About Komatsu

Komatsu develops and supplies technologies, equipment and services for the construction, mining, forklift, industrial and forestry markets. For more than a century, the company has been creating value for its customers through manufacturing and technology innovation, partnering with others to empower a sustainable future where people, business and the planet thrive together. Front-line industries worldwide use Komatsu solutions to develop modern infrastructure, extract fundamental minerals, manage forests and create consumer products. The company's global service and distributor networks support customer operations to help enhance safety and promote productivity while working to optimize performance.

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