Many of Komatsu's products (especially construction equipment) are vital for recovery and reconstruction in the wake of a natural disaster.
In the event of an emergency, we promptly grasp the local situation and support disaster recovery in a substantial way, such as providing equipment needed by the disaster area. The latest activities are as follows:
In January 2024, an earthquake centered in the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture caused significant damage to the community.
In consideration of the extensive damage caused, Komatsu made a total donation of totaling JPY600 million (JPY500 million for Ishikawa Prefecture and JPY100 million for Toyama Prefecture) to provide emergency aid for the affected areas and people. In addition, in line with requests from the affected areas, we have been continuously providing support, including free-of-charge lending of equipment such as construction machinery, forklifts and generators, as well as personnel support to our suppliers that have been affected by the disaster.
Furthermore, Komatsu and the Federation of All Komatsu Workers' Unions jointly solicited donations from Komatsu Group employees and made a "matching donation" in which Komatsu donated an amount corresponding to the amount of the donation by the employees.
Komatsu was established in May 1921 in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Today, we operate in a total of four production bases in Ishikawa and Toyama Prefectures. We have also been actively engaged in business activities deeply rooted in the local community, collaborating with numerous local suppliers and distributors. Our pursuit of coexistence with local communities has been handed down through generations, and our basic stance is to contribute to society through business activities.
Moving forward, we will continue to provide the necessary support to contribute to the prompt restoration of the affected areas.
The fall of 2024 proved to be one of natural disaster and serious impact across the United States.
Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 hurricane, made landfall in the Big Bend area of Florida. Just weeks following this catastrophic event, a Category 5 Hurricane Milton made landfall.
After these disasters, communities were inundated with flood waters, damaged by powerful winds and tornadoes and left without power or resources. The destruction impacted homes, roads and infrastructure, and entire communities.
Komatsu America Corp. (KAC) collaborated with local communities to compile a Wish list to hear the needs of disaster victims and delivered relief supplies to individuals, families, nonprofit organizations, and donation centers.
KAC donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross to support disaster relief efforts following Hurricanes Helen and Milton. Additionally, KAC encouraged individual employee donations, and many employees contributed to the relief efforts.
In the rainy season of 2024, large-scale flooding affected northern, northeastern, and central Thailand. The damage was particularly severe in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.
Bangkok Komatsu Co., Ltd. (BKC) has allocated some construction machinery with expert operators to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. These machines are being used to help remove mud and debris that have accumulated in public areas and residential neighborhoods due to the flooding. In addition, BKC and our partners have come together to donate funds, emergency supplies, and used computers to support local residents and schools affected by the disaster.
In Japan, Komatsu has mainly assisted in areas affected by earthquakes. For wind and flood damage, which have increased in recent years, the damage is concentrated in limited areas or villages in many cases, and thus, we could not provide assistance in a more detailed manner in some cases.
Komatsu is providing the following support, including the provision of equipment and supplies.
OPENJAPAN (head office: Miyagi prefecture) is a group of volunteers who have expertise in construction and civil engineering. They quickly rush to affected areas around Japan to clean up affected houses as well as conduct recovery and reconstruction work. Though many of the volunteers possess a great deal of skill to operate construction vehicles, recovery from disasters also requires the relevant expertise. Through daily training, they aim to carry out safe and effective recovery and reconstruction operations.
In response to a request from the Marumori-machi government in Miyagi prefecture, which suffered extensive damage, and after hearing from the people on-site about their needs, Komatsu donated a used compact excavator PC30MR, as well as rental costs for heavy equipment, fuel, and materials (e.g. blue tarps and crane tools) that were necessary for the OPENJAPAN activities in Marumori-machi so that they can be used for not only the reconstruction support activities in Marumori-machi, but also future training.