High racking storage at the Kanto spare parts distribution centre.

Komatsu Ltd has finished constructing its new JPY3.4 billion (USD32.7 million) Kanto spare parts distribution centre at the site of its Oyama plant in Tochigi, Japan. Operations commenced this month.

Combined with the Global Operation Centre, a new organisation that controls the sales, production and inventory of construction equipment spare parts, Komatsu has positioned the new distribution centre as the group's global spare parts hub for its forklifts and construction equipment.

Komatsu says the new centre, which will boost efficiency in its spare parts operation, is equipped with a new global operation system, a warehouse management system and cutting-edge ICT equipment.

With respect to the building's green credentials, Komatsu has divided the building into storage and operation areas to enhance air-conditioning efficiency. The company expects to reduce electricity consumption by half from its fiscal 2013 levels.

Komatsu currently operates 18 main parts distribution centres worldwide (15 overseas and three in Japan). The company says it is making group-wide efforts to shorten the lead time of spare parts from plants to customers by eliminating the intermediary process for direct linkage between customers and plants, and to dynamically reduce parts inventories worldwide.

Komatsu plans to introduce its new parts operation model to its operations in Australia, North America and Japan (Kansai and Hokuriku areas) by the end of fiscal 2015.

About 3,180 people work at the 591,000 sqm (6.3 million sqft.) Oyama plant. The Kanto spare parts distribution centre has a total floor space of 22,202 sqm (238,980 sqft.). The storage area covers 11,340 sqm (122,063 sqft.) of floor space and the offices and operations area take up the rest of the space.