The Komatsu-Cummins Engine Company (KCEC) in Japan has achieved a major manufacturing milestone with the production of the 500,000th engine from the Oyama joint venture operation. Engine number 500,000 came off the Oyama production line in December 2009.
The joint venture company has also announced that the Oyama engine plant will move forward to produce the next generation of Tier 4 low-emissions engines for parent companies Komatsu Ltd. and Cummins Inc.
"Reaching the half-million engine mark represents another significant achievement in the long-established partnership between Komatsu and Cummins, which is widely regarded as the most successful and enduring in the off-highway industry," says Eric Neal, General Manager of Cummins-Komatsu Business Worldwide.
"The KCEC engine plant is highly regarded by both Komatsu and Cummins for its outstanding levels of quality, productivity and commitment to delivery. The introduction of the Tier 4 Interim engines at KCEC from 2010 onward will mean the plant will be ready to power the next generation of low-emissions, more fuel-efficient construction equipment," he adds.

