Member Article

Winners off to Japan

The London 2012 Olympics may be over but the legacy of competing lives on particularly at leading excavator manufacturer Komatsu UK Ltd based in Birtley, as four north east competitors look forward to an Olympics with a different challenge.

Following their success at the recently held Komatsu UK Technology Olympics competition, the four winners Paul Phillips (Welding), Daniel Mason (Assembly), Gary Errington (Machine inspection) and Ian Chantler (Paint), are all gearing themselves up and raring to go on a trip of a lifetime to Japan.

One of the aims of the Japanese competition, which is now in its 36th year, is to provide Komatsu employees and key suppliers with the opportunity to demonstrate the high level of skill and technical ability required to work in the various disciplines of fabrication, painting, assembly and machine inspection. In total, a record number of 73 people took part in the Komatsu UK competition comprising of permanent and temporary employees, apprentices and suppliers.

However, according to Komatsu’s Tracey Wilson, Senior Human Resources Manager, the event also brings other benefits. She said:

“Komatsu UK has been running the UK Technology Olympics for 15 years. The event is a great opportunity for apprentices, employees and key suppliers to compete against each other in their chosen field. In addition it is a good motivational tool and helps staff to maintain the high quality standards the company is known for.”

The four UK winners will travel to Japan later in the year to compete in the all Komatsu Technology Olympics. Mrs Wilson continued:

“When it comes to competing in Japan they will further improve their skills and learn new techniques which they will bring back and pass on to colleagues in the UK. This year Komatsu UK are putting more focus than ever before on the Technology Olympics. This reflects our top management commitment to the competition and the benefits it provides to the business”.

Gary Errington who will be competing in the machine inspection category said, “I am very much looking forward to having the experience of travelling to Japan to compete and to have the opportunity to further improve my skills and learn new techniques from our colleagues in Japan.

I started as an apprentice four and a half years ago and was made permanent in October 2012. I feel privileged to represent Komatsu UK in the International Technology Olympics competition in Japan“.

The annual Technology Olympics, coupled with the sharing of new skills and techniques plays a significant part in Komatsu’s core philosophy of continuous improvement.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Leigh Chelton .