2 minute read
New jobs created as growth continues for Komatsu
A host of orders secured from domestic and European markets has led to Komatsu UK (KUK) creating a further 20 new roles at its Tyne and Wear plant.
In recent months, post-lockdown, 120 new staff have already joined the firm at its plant in Birtley, Tyne and Wear, as well as 10 new apprentices. The firm now has a further 20 roles currently available in the factory, including painters, fabricators and assemblers. Jobs are also being created in design and various support functions.
The company has also promoted Stephen Callaghan to the role of production control manager. Stephen joined Komatsu in 1997, serving a four-year apprenticeship. Various roles in fabrication, planning and production control followed, before being welcomed into management this year.
Order growth has led to Komatsu creating 120 new jobs in recent months and 10 apprenticeships / Picture: Komatsu UK
Stephen Callaghan, said: “KUK has a great ethos of succession planning. We genuinely believe in, and promote, development. Everyone is aware that if you demonstrate ability, drive and determination, Komatsu provides opportunities for every employee to develop.
“I began my Komatsu career as a raw 16-year-old apprentice, but always recognised the opportunity that working somewhere like Komatsu offered. The business apprenticeship programme is full of amazing success stories and countless former apprentices have gone on to forge long, successful careers here, with many progressing to senior positions. It certainly helped me, in a well-structured way, transition from full-time education into a work-placed environment. Through great mentorship and training, I was able to learn the skills required to start a career in engineering and always have a career path ahead of me to keep me motivated.”
Paul Blanchard, KUK managing director, added: “I’d like to congratulate Stephen on his well-earned promotion. His skill, determination and knowledge is formidable and an inspiration to others. We take pride in the way we invest in the development of employees and Stephen is a great example of someone who has seized every opportunity that came his way. I’d also like to welcome our new apprentices and the new employees we have recruited across the plant and look forward to working with them to sustain Komatsu’s continued success and growth.”
This year, Komatsu celebrated the global company’s 100th anniversary. The UK-based part of the company has produced excavators since opening the plant in 1987, and establishing a range of Japanese practices and ways of working unheard of in most UK plants. Originally creating 250 manufacturing and engineering roles, Komatsu was at the forefront of the creation of a whole new industry in the North East that centered around automotive and construction equipment manufacturing.