Komatsu Ltd. and Japan Mine Action Service have signed an agreement to jointly demine anti-personnel landmines in the contaminated regions and reconstruct local communities after demining. Based on this agreement, the first reconstruction project is scheduled to be launched in Cambodia in May 2008. Komatsu demining equipment will be rented at no cost to JMAS. The company also will take part in the safe development of agricultural land, digging of wells, building of schools, and repair and building of roadways and bridges. Komatsu will pay the operating expenses and transportation cost to Cambodia. 

Advanced Technician Competition to begin in February Komatsu America Corp. will hold the twelfth annual Advanced Technician Competition at their Training and Demonstration Facility in February, 2008. Komatsu Equipment Distributors across North America send their top field and service technicians there. They will compete in a series of individual and team tests to check their technical and troubleshooting skills on Komatsu’s compact, construction and mining equipment.  

Volvo CE: Special Award for Innovations Volvo Construction Equipment has won a Special Award for Innovation of Significant Merit for its new PL range of pipelayers. Volvo CE was presented with the BP award for its significant contribution to innovation related to cross-country onshore pipeline construction.  

Caterpillar Remote Tracking and Management System Caterpillar will equip most of its new mining and industrial machines with EquipmentManager and Product Link. The remote tracking and management system will be a standard feature in the United States and Canadian markets. Caterpillar has provided remote asset management capabilities as an option since 1998. Now Cat will deliver them on most core Caterpillar machines.  

Hino Motors and Guangzhou Automobile Group Joint Venture Japan`s Hino Motors Ltd. and China`s Guangzhou Automobile Group announced the formation of a joint venture in China that will result in a new factory in Guangzhou in mid-2009. Hino, the truck unit of Toyota Motor Corp. and Guangzhou Auto earlier this year won regulatory approval to make trucks and buses in China, and to restructure two existing automakers in which Hino and Guangzhou Auto have equity.