Positive quarter for Komatsu

Manufacturer Komatsu has reported increased revenues and operating income for three months to 30 June, fuelled by demand for construction equipment in North America, Europe and the Middle East.

The Japanese company reported a 1.1% year-on-year increase in revenues to JPY460 billion (€4.82 billion), and a 21% jump in operating income to JPY63.5 billion (€464 million) for the period.

It said demand for construction equipment steadily increased mainly in North America, Europe and the Middle East, but this had been offset to some extend by reduced demand for mining equipment around the world.

In Japan, it said demand for construction equipment from rental companies “ran its course”, with a strong response from rental customers to its new generation of dozers – the D61PXi-23 and D37PXi-23 iMC models.

Komatsu said it had also seen increased demand in Japan as a result of a rise in construction investment and reconstruction in the regions destroyed in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. In addition, it said it had expanded sales of used equipment in the country.

For the full-year to 31 March, 2015, Komatsu said it expected to report revenues of JPY1880 billion (€13.7 billion), down 3.8% year-on-year. Full-year operating income is expected to rise 1% to JPY243 billion (€1.77 billion).