Turnover has soared at hydraulic excavator manufacturer Komatsu in a year of “strong post Covid recovery”.
County Durham-based Komatsu UK is the UK arm of the Japanese-headquartered Komatsu, which manufactures medium-sized and large crawler excavators
The subsidiary was established in 1985 and manufactures excavators for, and sells them exclusively, to KESIA.
In the year to 31 March 2022 turnover surged from £155.6m to £292.3m.
Pre-tax profits also climbed to £6.2m from £3.5m.
A strategic report with the results said the improved performance reflects the increase in European demand for construction equipment after the market was “significantly adversely impacted in the first half of the previous year”.
It added that the profits reflect a return “in line with the contract manufacturing relationship with KEISA”.
During the year employee numbers also rose from 480 from 438.
Managing director Paul Blanchard said: “As we move beyond the unprecedented global events that have impacted manufacturers across the world, KUK have seen a return of the volume and subsequently improved annual results following the reduction in the previous year due to the Covid situation.
“KUK continues to invest in workforce skills, plant and innovation at our Birtley HQ to ensure we remain at the forefront of European excavator manufacturing.”
