Record year

Komatsu's construction equipment sales grew +21.4% in the year to March 31, for a record total of JPY 1568 billion (US$ 13.3 billion). The segment made an operating profit of JPY 220 billion (US$ 1.88 billion), for a margin of 13.9%. Both profits and revenues are the highest Komatsu has ever achieved.

While the largest contribution to sales came from the Americas-JPY 480 billion (US$ 4.10 billion)-the strongest growth last year was seen in China, with sales increasing +59.1% to JPY 108 billion (US$ 923 million). There was also strong growth from the Middle East & Africa, with Komatsu's sales rising +44.5% to JPY 155 billion (US$ 1.32 billion), while sales in Europe rose +39% to JPY 312 billion (US$ 2.66 billion).

Commenting on the outlook for the industry, a company statement said, “While there are some factors of concern in the construction and mining equipment business, such as the slowing US housing starts, the Komatsu Group anticipates that investments in energy-related and infrastructure developments will continue to expand. Th us, sales of equipment should increase in tandem with growth in demand.”