Komatsu has opened a new excavator factory in Chennai, India. The move comes following the dissolution of its excavator manufacturing joint-venture with contractor Larsen & Toubro, L&T Komatsu, in April 2013.

Since the joint venture was dissolved, Komatsu has been responsible for development and production of machines in India, while L&T has handled sales and servicing through a separate organisation. Now the five excavator models previously made by L&T Komatsu are being transferred to the new facility, which is solely owned by Komatsu.

A statement from Komatsu said, “Komatsu believes that India is one of the leading markets with promising growth in the mid to long terms for construction equipment and regards its business in India in a long-range perspective. Komatsu positions this new factory for hydraulic excavators in Chennai as a core manufacturing site to deliver high-quality products to customers in, not only India, but also the Middle East and Africa in the future. With this new factory, Komatsu is going to build up more flexible global production and supply operations and further sharpen its global competitiveness.”

Komatsu also has a factory in India which builds dump trucks.