Skip to main content

IHI and Kato joining forces for machines

A new agreement between IHI and Kato will see the two firms joining their construction machine operations together. IHI Corporation (IHI) announced has agreed to transfer all the shares in its wholly‐owned IHI Construction Machinery business to Kato Works. The move will expand the product line-up for mini‐excavators, crawler cranes and other crawler equipment. All current facilities and network including overseas will remain without major changes for the time being. The two companies will assimilate ove
October 25, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
A new agreement between IHI and Kato will see the two firms joining their construction machine operations together. IHI Corporation (IHI) announced has agreed to transfer all the shares in its wholly‐owned IHI Construction Machinery business to Kato Works.

The move will expand the product line-up for mini‐excavators, crawler cranes and other crawler equipment. All current facilities and network including overseas will remain without major changes for the time being. The two companies will assimilate over time, and develop synergies in the market.

IHI has explained that the decision is in keeping with IHI Group Management Policies 2016, which adopted a new portfolio management approach to reinforce IHI’s earnings base. This forms part of moves by the group to refocus its business operations.

IHI Construction Machinery focuses on mini‐excavators, cranes, crawler carriers, and other construction machinery. The sector has experienced a tough operating climate owing to slower growth in emerging nations and more uncertainty in the global economy. Construction machinery companies have endeavored to accommodate these dramatic changes and reinforce their business by forming alliances or restructuring.

Kato Works is pushing forward with Medium‐Term Management Plan 2016‐2018, targeting net sales exceeding ¥100 billion. It is deploying measures to reach the global market, develop highly competitive products and expand its lineup.

IHI considered its business structure with regard to IHI Construction Machinery and management concluded that integrating that subsidiary’s operations with those of Kato Works as a specialized construction machinery player would reinforce competitiveness. It would also deliver higher added value to customers by bolstering the lineup and leveraging IHI Construction Machinery’s Italian and Chinese business units and sales networks.

As part of the Kato Works group, IHI Construction Machinery will continue to make and sell products. The Kato Works group will broaden its lineup, expand its sales network, and reinforce development and design to boost its development capabilities. The transfer is subject to regulatory approval, with a scheduled transfer date of November 25th, 2016.

Related Content

  • Hill & Smith reports strong financial performance
    November 18, 2016
    Hill & Smith Holdings reports a healthy performance for the period 1 July 2016 to 31 October 2016. The firm’s board says that trading has continued to be encouraging and that it expects Group trading performance for the current financial year to be at the top end of market expectations. The group’s results will also benefit from the positive translational impact on its overseas earnings from the recent weakness in Sterling.
  • Strong attendance points to a successful bauma China show
    December 17, 2014
    Even heavy rain showers on the first day of the bauma China exhibition in Shanghai did not dissuade the crowds packing the outside exhibition areas - Mike Woof writes Those firms exhibiting at bauma China 2014 in Shanghai benefited from a strong show that attracted a record attendance of 191,000, an increase of 6% over the 2012 event. A wide array of new equipment was on show from the 3,104 firms exhibiting, an increase of 14% from 2012. There was a strong focus on technology and new engines required for
  • Metso develops market share development strategies for China
    November 27, 2012
    Metso announced two initiatives aimed at increasing its share of the fast-growing Chinese crusher market: A joint venture with LiuGong Group, and the acquisition of 75% of Shaorui Heavy Industries. Metso and LiuGong will form a 50%-50% joint venture aimed at developing the track-mounted crushing and screening business in China. The joint venture will combine Metso's know-how in track-mounted crushing and screening business and technology with LiuGong's distribution resources and manufacturing capabilities i
  • Metso develops market share development strategies for China
    January 6, 2017
    Metso announced two initiatives aimed at increasing its share of the fast-growing Chinese crusher market: A joint venture with LiuGong Group, and the acquisition of 75% of Shaorui Heavy Industries. Metso and LiuGong will form a 50%-50% joint venture aimed at developing the track-mounted crushing and screening business in China. The joint venture will combine Metso's know-how in track-mounted crushing and screening business and technology with LiuGong's distribution resources and manufacturing capabilities i