COMPANY PROFILE

Over the course of 128 years, we have been pioneers in the construction machinery industry

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.


 
KATO
1895
Founded as a private enterprise, KATO Iron Works
1920s
1923
Began manufacturing internal combustion locomotives and motorcars for rail use. Became designated factory of the Ministry of Railway.
1930s
1935
Reorganized and established as KATO WORKS CO., LTD.
1938
Began manufacture of engines, tractors, road rollers, cranes, etc.
1940s
KATO HICOM (IHI Construction Machinery Limited)
1950s
1959
Began manufacture of fully hydraulic truck cranes and earth boring rigs
1952
Established as Ishikawajima Koehring CO. (joint venture of Ishikawajima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. and Koehring Company)
1953
Developed model 205 mechanical power excavators.
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.
1970s
1970
Stock listed in 1st section of Tokyo Stock Exchange
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.
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
1988
IS-30G miniexcavators awarded Good Design Award
1989
Developed CCH500T the largest telescopic crawler cranes.
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
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.
2000s
2004
Kimiyasu Kato inaugurated as President
2006
Began operation of KATO WORKS (CHINA) LTD.
2008
Launched REGZAM series hydraulic excavators
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.
2010s
2010
Developed the “E-jib” systems
2010
Developed CCH2000-6 crawler cranes. Developed F801 forwarders.
2014
Developed V4 series mini-excavators.
2015
Developed IC75-2 electronic control crawler carriers.
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.
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
2021
 
2023
Launched IC70R,full rotation crawler carrier