NEWBERRY, S.C. — Komatsu is celebrating a quarter century of building heavy equipment in Newberry, and the plant’s general manager says its biggest machine yet is on the way.
Workers, dealers, elected officials and neighbors gathered at the Newberry Manufacturing Operation to mark its 25th anniversary with live demonstrations of machines made on site. The company also showed off a special anniversary edition of the WA485-11, a flagship wheel loader that is among the latest designs coming off the Newberry line.
The plant opened in 2001 as the fifth major Komatsu factory in North America and began mass production in May 2002. It started with 22 employees building backhoe loaders and later added wheel loaders and forklifts. Today it covers more than 300,000 square feet, has about 250 workers and has turned out more than 53,000 machines.
General Manager Tony Crespo said production of the WA600, the largest wheel loader ever made at the Newberry site, begins next year. Rick Farmer, who leads Newberry County Economic Development, called the company a sign that the county can compete for manufacturing on a global stage.
Komatsu also backs local programs including the Special Olympics, Newberry County Disabilities and Special Needs, Meals on Wheels and area food banks.
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