McHale Komatsu reports a very positive market introduction

With the completion of their first three months as UK distributors of Komatsu, effected through their McHale Komatsu (MHK) affiliate in which the Japanese manufacturer has a minority shareholding, McHale Plant Sales has released a statement in which they report a ‘very positive’ market introduction.

In a comment accompanying the statement, their Marketing & Business Development director, Darragh O’Driscoll said: “We are pleased to have made significant progress in a number of key areas: in recruitment, in customer services, engagement with customers in untapped segments, and in the quality of deals that are in our pipeline.”

Despite the uncertainty being caused by global events, the company reports an order intake that is ‘building nicely with a good spread across all sectors’. In addition, the company reports that all matters relating to the establishment of the business, including facilities acquisition, personnel, the transfer of interests, and all financial matters relating thereto ‘have all been completed’ the statement added.

On the customer support services side, a major initiative has seen the establishment of Komatsu Finance in the UK under the direction of territory manager, Colin McHale – who will be followed by two further appointments over the coming months.

Other major developments include the appointment of a new Senior Management Team and Board of Directors including, in the role of MHK Sales Director, the appointment of Mark Turnham, a vastly experienced executive who joined MHK after long service with Hitachi.

Leading MHK’s drive to build Komatsu’s share in the UK market, Mark is supported by a number of key personnel in Sales and Service, including new Area Sales Managers and Product Specialists, and personnel promoted to more senior roles including a new Branch Manager at the company’s Chester-le-Street outlet, a new Service Supervisor, and the appointment of Rob Wilmott to General Sales Manager England & Wales.

Looking ahead, growth in the number of new models being introduced by Komatsu, current examples being their new HM460-6 articulated dump truck, new PC130-11 excavator, and two new compact loaders (see photo) – a 4-tonne skid steer and 5-tonne tracked loader – combine with current models to give us ‘reason to be optimistic for the remainder of the year ahead,’ O’Driscoll added.