Komatsu Forest is a Swedish/Japanese manufacturer of forestry machinery. The company was formerly known as Valmet, until 2004 when it was acquired by Komatsu. Komatsu Forest continues to use the Valmet name to market its products.

Valmet offers a full line of forestry equipment, including harvesters, feller bunchers, and forwarders.

Contents 1 History 2 The Company Today 3 Equipment List 4 References

[edit] History

Komatsu Forest's origins date back to 1961 with the formation of a small Swedish machinery company, Umea Mekaniska.^[1] This company was responsible for a number of world's firsts, including the first mobile cut to length delimber and cross-cutter (1972), the first telescopic harvester boom (1974), the first computer based timber measuring system (1978), and the first single grip harvester (1982).^[2] In 1986, Umea Mekaniska was purchased by Volvo BM. Volvo subsequently formed a partnership with a Finnish company known as Valmet, and took the company's name.^[3]

Through the late 80's and 90's, Valmet sought to expand its operations by broadening its product offerings and acquiring complimentary businesses. In 1989, Valmet acquired Gafner, a forestry equipment manufacturer. From 1990 to 1996, Valmet introduced several new models of harvester heads, forwarders, measuring systems, and harvesters. In 1996, Valmet was sold to a Finnish company named SISU. In 1997, Valmet unveiled the world's first mobile computer with a color screen for forestry machines. In 2000, Valmet acquired the Timbco brand.^[4]

In 2004, Valmet was acquired by Komatsu, a large Japanese industrial conglomerate. Komatsu changed the company's name to Komatsu Forest AB.^[5]

[edit] The Company Today

Komatsu Forest has two manufacturing plants; one in Umea, Sweden and the other in Shawano, Wisconsin, USA. Komatsu Forest's largest markets are Sweden, followed by Finland, and then Central Europe.^[6]

[edit] Equipment List

• Feller buncher (tracked and wheeled)
• Forwarder
• Harvester (tracked and wheeled)
• Harvester head

[edit] References

1. ↑ History - Global - Komatsu Forest. KomatsuForest.com [January 4, 2010].
2. ↑ History - Global - Komatsu Forest. KomatsuForest.com [January 4, 2010].
3. ↑ History. KomatsuForest.com [January 4, 2010].
4. ↑ History - Global - Komatsu Forest. KomatsuForest.com [January 4, 2010].
5. ↑ Japanese quality, Swedish technology. Sweden Today Magazine: 24th Year No 4 2005 [January 4, 2010].
6. ↑ Japanese quality, Swedish technology. Sweden Today Magazine: 24th Year No 4 2005 [January 4, 2010].