Since our establishment in 1895, KATO has consistently achieved remarkable technological advancements. We have played a pivotal role as a technological pioneer and continue to hold a leading position in the industry.
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1895 |
Founded as a private enterprise, KATO Iron Works |
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1920s |
- 1923
- Began manufacturing internal combustion locomotives and motorcars for rail use. Became designated factory of the Ministry of Railway.
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1930s |
- 1935
- Reorganized and established as KATO WORKS CO., LTD.
- 1938
- Began manufacture of engines, tractors, road rollers, cranes, etc.
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1940s |
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KATO HICOM (IHI Construction Machinery Limited） |
1950s |
- 1959
- Began manufacture of fully hydraulic truck cranes and earth boring rigs
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- 1952
- Established as Ishikawajima Koehring CO. (joint venture of Ishikawajima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. and Koehring Company)
- 1953
- Developed model 205 mechanical power excavators.
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1960s |
- 1963
- Began operation of Ibaraki plant
- 1963
- Began manufacture of street sweepers and paper drain machines
- 1967
- Began manufacture of hydraulic excavators
- 1969
- Launched NK-750 jumbo, the world's largest fully hydraulic truck crane.
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1970s |
- 1970
- Stock listed in 1st section of Tokyo Stock Exchange
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- 1975
- Dissolved a capital tie-up with Koehring Company.
- 1977
- Changed the name to Ishikawajima Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
- 1972
- Developed 4.8t lifting capacity R5 model hydraulic wheel cranes.
- 1975
- Developed IS-010 mini excavator. Entered into mini excavator market.
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1980s |
- 1980
- Began operation of Gunma plant
- 1980
- Began manufacture of rough terrain cranes
- 1985
- Completed New Headquarters building and celebrated 50th anniversary of the establishment
- 1987
- Launched KA-800 all terrain crane
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- 1988
- IS-30G miniexcavators awarded Good Design Award
- 1989
- Developed CCH500T the largest telescopic crawler cranes.
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1990s |
- 1995
- 100th anniversary of KATO founding
- 1995
- Launched NK-5000 (500 ton) fully hydraulic truck crane.
- 1998
- Obtained ISO 9001 certification
- 1998
- Launched KA-900 all terrain crane
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- 1992
- Developed new designed J series and UJ series with new concept. Easy to operate and robust structure. Start electrodeposition coating for all mini excavator cover.
- 1993
- Developed IC30 crawler carriers.
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2000s |
- 2004
- Kimiyasu Kato inaugurated as President
- 2006
- Began operation of KATO WORKS (CHINA) LTD.
- 2008
- Launched REGZAM series hydraulic excavators
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- 2002
- Established the joint venture IHIMER S.p.A. (currently KATO IMER S.p.A.) Began manufacture of mini-excavators to Europe.
- 2004
- Established the joint venture SCE (Xiamen) Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
- 2008
- Changed the name to IHI Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
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2010s |
- 2010
- Developed the “E-jib” systems
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- 2010
- Developed CCH2000-6 crawler cranes. Developed F801 forwarders.
- 2014
- Developed V4 series mini-excavators.
- 2015
- Developed IC75-2 electronic control crawler carriers.
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2016 |
Began operation of KATO WORKS (THAILAND) CO.,LTD.
Acquired IHI Construction Machinery Limited (Current KATO HEAVY INDUSTRIES CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.)
Changed company name from IHIIMER S.p.A. to KATO IMER S.p.A. |
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2018 |
Absorption-type merger of our subsidiary, KATO HEAVY INDUSTRIES CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.(KATO HICOM CO., LTD.)
Established KATO EUROPE B.V.
Opened the KATO TRAINING CENTER |
2019 |
Started operation of the BANDO Plant
Changed company name from ISHIKAWAJIMA SCE (Xiamen) Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. to KATO SCE (Xiamen) Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
Closed the YOKOHAMA Plant (formerly KATO HICOM CO., LTD.) and moved production to the GUNMA Plant |
2020 |
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2021 |
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2023 |
Launched IC70R,full rotation crawler carrier |
