Komatsu Division general manager Eiji Fukuda.

Komatsu Division, the European head office of Komatsu Forklift Co Ltd, which manufactures and sells forklifts in Europe, has tripled sales for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004.

The close of its positive financial year co-incided with the appointment of Eiji Fukuda as Komatsu Division general manager.

Fukuda, previously Komatsu Forklift's international division manager for planning & sales support, has overhauled the company's marketing strategy, improved and expanded relations with overseas distributors and brought attention to customer requests, the company said in a statement.

"During 2004, in the context of an extremely competitive European market that grew by 7 per cent, Komatsu Division increased sales at a rate three times higher," Fukuda said.

"The excellent results are the outcome of the efforts of the entire Komatsu team, including sales and after-sales with its service and spare parts departments. [The team] dedicated itself to a common project," he said.

The 40-year-old general manager said Komatsu Forklift would introduce new models in the AX50/BX50 series by the end of June 2005.

When contacted by Forkliftaction.com News, Komatsu Division would not disclose sales figures for fiscal 2004.