Views No.

23, March 2014

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Komatsu Nairobi Training Center

CUSTOMER SUPPORT Views No. 23, March 2014

Strengthening Collaboration with

Distributors and Developing
Work-Ready Human Resources
KNTC is jointly operated by Komatsu and the
Panafrican Group, a distributor that covers a wide
area in East Africa. The center is responsible for
training primarily in East African countries that
include Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia as
well as several English-speaking West African
countries such as Nigeria and Ghana. Komatsu
provides the main facilities and educational tools
Participants in classroom doing post test
while Panafrican is tasked with operations encom-
passing the employment of instructors and
implementation of training programs.
During the initial two years following KNTCs
establishment, Komatsu employees stationed at the
Nairobi Liaison Office served as head instructors
for supervising the startup of operations at KNTC
and provided education and instruction to locally
hired trainers. Since April 2012, three local staff
members have been handling the operation of the
center as chief instructor, instructor and general
affairs clerk, respectively.
The training program at the center is aimed at
raising technical skills levels to cultivate mid-level
mechanics.
Trainees asking questions about simulator components of HD785 dump truck

KNTCs Training Program

Strengthening Product Support in

Group education at KNTC: Learn the fundamentals of Komatsu service and basic
Step 1 1st month
education in electrical systems, hydraulics and engines
Carry out reviews and hands-on training of the above on an on-the-job training
Step 2 2nd and 3rd month

East Africa
(OJT) basis
Group education at KNTC: Learn the basics of power train and mechatronics,
Step 3 4th month
advanced hydraulics and measurement of undercarriages
Step 4 5th and 6th month Carry out reviews and hands-on training of the above on an OJT basis

I
n April 2010, Komatsu opened the Komatsu cultural hub. As the largest city in East Africa, Step 5 7th month Group education at KNTC: Learn how to prepare service reports and troubleshoot
Nairobi Training Center (KNTC) in Nairobi, Nairobi also serves as this regions gateway.
Kenya. Recent years have witnessed rising Despite its close proximity to the equator, Nairobi Step 6 8th and 9th month Carry out reviews and hands-on training of the above on an OJT basis
demand for mining equipment in Africa. At the is situated at an altitude of approximately 1,600 m
same time, there have also been growing demands (5,250 ft) and thus has a relatively cool climate.
for responding to 1) a shortage of mechanics,
2) an increase in the technical skill level required
of mechanics due to the greater precision of
machines and advances in information and com-
munication technology (ICT) and 3) facilities
capable of flexibly implementing training near
work sites. In response to these needs, Komatsu
established KNTC to strengthen product support
and raise the technical skill levels of mechanics in
East Africa. The opening of KNTC followed the
establishment of the Komatsu Dakar Training
Center (KDTC) in West Africa in 2009.
Nairobi is Kenyas capital and largest city Group 1, Step 1 trainees together with Panafrican staff and Komatsu manager on
as well as the nations political, economic and opening day of the Komatsu Nairobi Training Center in April 2010
Checking an error code on the HD785 monitor An instructor gives an explanation about the HD785 simulator.
 Training on how to identify problems using the monitor of a PC200 hydraulic excavator

As of September 2013, 38 people graduated from Regionally Focused Human Resources

this program, with the largest number of graduates Development
coming from the Buzwagi mine in Tanzania.
At this site, PC4000 hydraulic excavators and After three years in operation, KNTCs education
HD1500 dump trucks are operating as the primary programs for distributors and customers are firmly
types of machines used at the gold mine. getting on track. Expectations have been growing
Panafrican is responsible for performing all for Komatsu to engage in activities that go beyond
maintenance on these machines under a full serving as educational facilities for manufacturers
maintenance contract, in which 22 graduates of and distributors, and in doing so, reach out to
the training program are currently providing main- students and vocational school students who will
tenance at the Buzwagi mine. serve as work-ready employees at distributors by
KNTC is also being used as a training institute providing education and information.
for providing mechanic training and operator Regardless of the location, mechanics are
training for customers. Additionally, KNTC is required to service and maintain construction
expanding educational activities, such as dispatch- equipment in good operating condition. As a man-
ing trainers to customers work sites. KNTC is also ufacturer that sells such equipment, Komatsu
equipped with an extensive line of educational believes it is responsible for cultivating the human
tools that include not only large-scale machines resources needed to service it. Based on this princi-
such as an actual PC200 hydraulic excavator and ple, Komatsu has opened training centers around
a simulator for the HD785 dump truck but also the world to develop service personnel while pro-
specialized components such as engines, transmis- viding opportunities for these trainees to acquire
sions and pump motors. Ideally situated adjacent to the skills they need to qualify as mechanics.
Panafricans maintenance workshop, KNTC can be As an educational venue, KNTC will serve as
also utilized for training on actual equipment, a key part of Komatsus regional strategy and con-
including used bulldozers and wheel loaders and tinue to cultivate trainers and mechanics capable of
maintenance machines. demonstrating their full potential at any type of
work site.

Product photos in this newsletter may show optional equipment.

Product specifications are subject to change without notice.
2-3-6, Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8414, Japan Available models may vary by region or country.
Models shown in this newsletter may be positioned for photographic purposes, with the bucket up.
http://www.komatsu.com For safety reasons, please leave the equipment in a secure position.
We welcome any comments from readers via email: All rights reserved. No part of this newsletter may be reproduced without the prior written permission of Komatsu Ltd.
views@komatsu.co.jp The comments expressed in this newsletter are those of the contributors, and are not necessarily endorsed by Komatsu Ltd.