History

Milestones in our History

Since our foundation in 1895, KATO has made breakthroughs by using our creativeness and independent vision. Constantly taking the role of trailblazer upon ourselves throughout our industry's history has brought us to where we are today and we intend to keep striving to provide our customers with quality products and service.

1895	Founded as a private enterprise, KATO Iron Work,
1923	Began manufacturing internal combustion locomotives and motor cars for rail use; and designated as factory by the Ministry of Railway
1935	Reorganized a private enterprise, established as an incorporated entity
1938	Began production of engines, tractors, road rollers, cranes etc
1959	Began production of hydraulic truck cranes and earth boring rigs
1963	Began production of street sweeper Began production of paper drain machine Completed phase 1 construction and began operation of Ibaraki plant Entered volume production of truck crane
1967	Began production of fully-hydraulic excavator
1969	Completed NK-750 Jumbo the largest truck crane in the world
1970	Stock listed in 1st section on Tokyo Stock Exchange
1980	Began production of rough terrain crane Began operations of Gunma plantr
1985	New Headquarters building completed and celebrated 50th anniversary of establishment
1987	Began production of all terrain crane Began production "V"series excavator equipped with APC(advanced microcomputerised system).
1991	Began production of Cityrange type crane
1994	Began production of SUPER EXCEED series
1995	100year anniversary of foundation Completed the largest truck crane NK-5000 (500 tonnes)
1998	Obtained ISO 9001 Certification
2004	Kimiyasu Kato was inaugurated as President.Introduced NK-550VR
2006	Started operations at KATO WORKS (CHINA) LTD
2008	Released the hydraulic excavator REGZAM V series
2010	Released the hydraulic excavator REGZAM R series