Komatsu Mining Plans $285M Expansion in Wisconsin

Surface and underground mining technology firm Komatsu Mining Corp. plans to invest $285 million to construct a new 2.5 million-sq-ft campus near Milwaukee, WI that will house the company’s headquarters and manufacturing assets. 

The site in Milwaukee’s Harbor District will serve as a large machining, heavy fabrication, and engineering center of excellence for P&H mining shovels and drills, according to a company press release issued Thursday. About 170,000 sq ft of office space and 410,000 sq ft of manufacturing space will be constructed on the 54-acre site, an announcement by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) said. 

“The new campus provides us opportunity for advancement in state-of-the-art facilities that expand our capabilities on a global scale,” Jeff Dawes, president and chief executive officer of Komatsu Mining, said in a company press release . “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.”

Komatsu’s plans for the site include the building of new advanced machine, heat treat, and fabrication shows; technology, R&D, and robotics laboratories; an office and data solutions center; global training and conference center; and a museum and company store. 

A number of environmentally-friendly features will also be installed, including solar panels, wind spires, a closed-loop heat treat system, green spaces, and LED lighting. The company said it aims to construct the site as a “near zero emissions” facility, reducing its energy consumption by 75% and its water consumption by 80%. 

Slated for completion in 2022, the project is expected to create about 400 new jobs. 

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