Komatsu Mining Plans New Wisconsin Headquarters

Just shy of its 135th anniversary in the Milwaukee, Wis., area, Komatsu Mining. Corp. has announced its intentions to build a new headquarters and manufacturing campus in the city. The company’s 2.5 million-sq.-ft. South Harbor Campus is planned for Milwaukee’s Harbor District on the city’s south side. Project completion is expected in 2022.

Partnering with the State of Wisconsin and City of Milwaukee, Komatsu said it plans to invest nearly $300 million in the company’s future at the site, thereby reinforcing its commitment to the city as a large machining, heavy fabrication and engineering center of excellence for the company’s P&H mining shovels and drills.

“The new campus provides us opportunity for advancement in state-of-the-art facilities that expand our capabilities on a global scale,” said Jeff Dawes, president and CEO of Komatsu Mining Corp. “Our new facilities will be designed to enhance safety, efficiency and environmental sustainability – all top priorities of Komatsu worldwide, allowing us to better serve our customers and deliver innovative solutions.”

Plans for Komatsu’s South Harbor Campus include the design and construction of new office, manufacturing and training facilities, to include: advanced machine, heat treat and fabrication shops,  R&D and robotics labs, purpose-built office complex and data solutions center, global training and conference center, museum and company store as well as a public river walk that is adjacent to the campus.

Once final agreements with all parties are concluded, the new campus will be built with a goal of near zero emissions facilities.

Moving from the company’s current National Avenue location will allow Komatsu to grow the number of permanent, full-time employees in Milwaukee to approximately 1000 jobs, said the company. The move is also expected to bolster’s Komatsu’s commitment to its many suppliers across the state of Wisconsin.

“This is a win for the city, state, our employees, customers and the community: together we are investing in Milwaukee’s future as a manufacturing stronghold and valued employer,” said John Koetz, president – Surface Mining at Komatsu Mining Corp. “We are preserving existing jobs, laying the groundwork for new employment opportunities, investing in the workforce of tomorrow, and helping attract talent to the area. Milwaukee is a great place for manufacturing. We are proud of our history here and excited to start building our future.”