Dan Funcannon Archives - International Mining

Komatsu is announcing the enhancement of its Peoria operations in the US by constructing a new office building that will provide a collaborative space for engineering, sales, manufacturing, management and other functions.

Komatsu has ceremonially broken ground on the new building, which is designed for operational efficiency and environmental responsibility. Komatsu is committed to sustainability, and to further these goals, the new office will incorporate innovative features such as solar panels, stormwater reclamation systems and energy-efficient LED lighting.

This project marks a significant investment in Peoria, replacing the existing office, which was built in the 1970s, and securing Komatsu’s presence in the region for generations to come.

“Komatsu’s commitment to Peoria is a partnership we greatly value,” Peoria Mayor, Rita Ali, says. “The new facility represents a step forward in sustainable manufacturing and strengthening Peoria’s economy and community. We’re excited to see Komatsu’s continued investment in our city, creating opportunities for the next generation of workers.”

Komatsu plans to complete the office building by the end of 2025, further cementing its role as a leader in mining technology and a key player in Peoria’s economic future. Primary partners supporting the project include EUA and P.J. Hoerr. In addition to the office upgrades, Komatsu is proud to announce the installation of a 980E-5SE mining truck as a showcase for the community at the entrance to its Peoria operations.

The truck was built in Peoria in January 2020 as an early prototype of the 980E-5SE model, which was commercialized in 2023. This impressive machine was recently crowned the winner of the prestigious 2024 “Makers Madness” contest, earning the title of “Coolest Thing Made in Illinois”. This accolade, presented by the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, capped off an eight-week, bracket-style competition that gathered nearly 315,000 votes from the public. The 980E-5SE features a hauling capacity of 400 tons (363 t) and cutting-edge electric drive technology.

Dan Funcannon, Senior Vice President of Surface Haulage for Komatsu, said: “This display truck represents more than just a remarkable engineering achievement. It symbolises our Peoria team’s hard work and innovation and reinforces our manufacturing capabilities. We’re excited for employees, visitors and Peoria residents to see firsthand the scale and ingenuity behind our products.”

Several key partners supported the 980E-5SE truck installation, including Boilermakers Local 158 for assembly, P.J. Hoerr as the general contractor, and Mohr & Kerr for site and foundation design.

Komatsu and ABB have signed a Strategic Collaboration Agreement to, they say, jointly develop and bring to market integrated solutions that will help move net-zero emissions for heavy industrial machinery a step closer to reality.

The two global leaders will leverage industry expertise and equipment in a bid to create world-class interoperability, ranging from renewable energy generation to fully electrified mining equipment for customers, through an open platform.

Komatsu is known as one of the world’s largest providers of construction and mining machinery and will now link up with global leader ABB for its expertise and technologies for automation and electrification. Both companies bid to accelerate decarbonisation in mining alongside customers, partners and suppliers, enabling continued productivity, energy efficiency and value across the industry.

ABB and Komatsu’s collaboration is geared towards reducing diesel consumption and ultimately eliminating it through the electrification of mine operations.

The companies are developing innovative solutions such as fully-electrified mining machinery and advanced energy management systems. “Innovation is the primary catalyst for ABB and Komatsu to help the industry reach carbon reduction goals,” they said. “Each company will nominate specialists from their teams for a working group to develop recommendations and strategies on what the road to net-zero emission systems for grid to wheel could require.”

Dan Funcannon, Senior Vice President of Surface Haulage for Komatsu, said: “We’re pleased to embark on this collaboration with ABB and are excited to leverage one another’s industry leading products and technological expertise to help move mining operations toward net zero emissions, empowering a sustainable future where people, business and the planet thrive together.”

Joachim Braun, Division President, ABB Process Industries, said: “By working together, we will tackle electrification and make a revolutionary difference to the way mining companies operate their sites in the near future. We recognise the strategic importance of this agreement and believe there will be mutual business benefits and potential technology solutions for the mining market. Collaboration across the industry has already been proven to enable real and faster progress and we look forward to driving what happens next.”

ABB’s Robot Automated Connection Device (ACD) will be featured on the Komatsu MINExpo 2024 booth from September 24 to 26. The Robot ACD is planned to be a fully automated interoperable connection device working in tandem with the ABB eMine™ FastCharge solution for future battery-electric trucks.

Komatsu bolsters Peoria engineering, sales, manufacturing, management functions

Komatsu and ABB align on interoperable solutions to achieve net-zero operations