Komatsu and Team Global Express: Reliable Supply Chain Solutions
“Manufacturing at scale requires precision,” says Sean Taylor, Managing Director of Komatsu Australia. “Every machine, every part, must arrive on time to keep our customers’ operations running seamlessly. Reliability isn’t just a goal—it’s a commitment.”
The Importance of a Reliable Supply Chain
Komatsu Australia has built a distribution network that ensures the right parts get to the right place at the right time, whether from their distribution centres in Brisbane and Perth, or their new Fulfilment Centre in Melbourne.
“Our customers count on us to deliver everything from the smallest bolts to massive mining equipment weighing nearly 100 tonnes,” says Komatsu Australia EGM Supply Chain, Russell Hodson.
"With over 600,000 SKUs in our inventory, we support operations across Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia—helping keep projects on track and businesses running smoothly.
"A reliable supply chain is critical, and timeliness is everything. Delays aren’t just inconvenient—they can bring entire operations to a halt,” says Hodson.
A Strong Partnership
"When we became Team Global Express in 2021, the Komatsu contract was up for renewal, and we needed to prove our value quickly," says Christine Holgate, Group CEO of Team Global Express.
"Our teams came together to deeply examine the opportunities for enhancing our partnership while having the tough conversations to better understand Komatsu’s needs and challenges."
This approach has led to Team Global Express becoming Komatsu’s main logistics partner, with a relationship built on a shared commitment to excellence and getting things right.
"Logistics is more than just moving goods—it’s about creating value together," emphasises Hodson. "That’s why we look for partners who share our values, bringing efficiency, reliability, and innovation to every step of the journey."
From the start, Team Global Express saw its partnership with Komatsu as more than just a business deal.
"We joined forces with a company at the core of Australia’s key industries—sectors that are the beating heart of our economy and beyond," says Andrew Wildblood, Chief Commercial Officer of Team Global Express.
“We pitched a centralised customer service solution built to handle the complexity of Komatsu’s business," says Wildblood.
"From day one, we committed to improving the reliability and visibility of Komatsu’s entire network, delivering over 27,000+ tonnes of Komatsu machinery and equipment each year, from urban centres to rugged and remote mining sites, through our multimodal network.”
"We operate a complex logistics network with diverse needs, often requiring multiple movements of items to meet customer demands,” says Hodson.
"In recent years, Komatsu has navigated disruption and scaled to meet demand, thanks to our partnership with Team Global Express.
"Their team is part of our team – we’ve embedded Team Global Express transport coordinators in our distribution centres, providing seamless communication and quick resolution of issues," Hodson adds.
"This approach, combined with Team Global Express’ multimodal network—air, sea, road, and rail under one roof—gives us the flexibility and control to meet complex logistics demands and adapt in real time."
Unlocking Progress Together
"Our partnership with Team Global Express empowers us to scale, take on complex projects, and set new industry benchmarks," says Taylor.
"But it’s more than just logistics. Together, we’ve tackled key initiatives like our Chain of Responsibility policy, with inputs from their specialists in driver training, fleet management, subcontractor engagement, and dangerous goods handling."
Through our partnership with Team Global Express, Komatsu has also gained valuable insights on safety, people, and ESG, driving continuous improvements across their operations.
"That level of commitment is why I awarded Team Global Express the 2024 Managing Director’s Award—our first-ever supplier recognition—for their outstanding dedication to excellence and true partnership," Taylor concludes.
"We don’t just see ourselves as Komatsu's logistics partner; but as an important catalyst for their growth," says Holgate.
"We are proud of the progress we are making with Komatsu, as a business and across the industry, because progress drives us.”