By Angeles Ponpa
PEORIA (25 News) – The Komatsu manufacturing business in Peoria is expanding, but staying in the area as it welcomes a new office building.
Komatsu in Peoria celebrated the grand opening of its new surface hauling headquarters and customer service center with a ceremonial tree planting on Wednesday. The building is meant to support mining innovation and advanced manufacturing and will operate with 100% renewable energy and zero-waste practices.
According to Komatsu leaders, their customers are looking for safer, more productive, and more sustainable ways to operate. They claimed the new building will help that goal. Leaders said the materials that Komatsu produces support infrastructure, energy, transportation, technology, and everyday products worldwide.
Additionally, those leaders noted that Komatsu also builds some of the largest mining trucks in the company’s portfolio.
The building spans 75,000 square feet and costs about $28 million, not including additional parking still in the works. It was constructed by P.J. Hoerr, a construction company based in Central Illinois.
At the event, P.J. Hoerr President Nick Hart said hundreds of local union men and women helped construct the project.
“We continue to invest in this facility, in the Peoria business,” said Dan Funcannon, Senior Vice President of Surface Haulage for Komatsu.
“It’s a significant part of the overall global Komatsu business. This investment really reassures the community and the employees that we are here for the long run,” Funcannon continued.
To accomplish its goal of zero waste and renewable energy, the new building will include a water collection system to reduce consumption and a solar array to generate 120,000 kW of energy.
“This investment in Peoria and the State of Illinois is going to pay dividends for years to come,” said Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturing Association.
“Future generations will work here, and they will make products that move around the world globally. They are re-investing in Peoria and Illinois, which is a great thing,” Denzler continued.
He added that the IMA will keep working with economic development groups and organizers from Peoria to continue growing the manufacturing workforce.
Peoria City Manager Patrick Urich, who was in attendance, said manufacturing is the core of Peoria.
“Manufacturing is really still the heart of what we do here in Central Illinois and in the Peoria region,” said Urich. “As you drive up and down Adams Street every day, you see commitment to this facility.”
The building will staff more than 300 of Komatsu’s current 1,000 employees.
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