New Assembly Plant Commences Operations in Banshu

 In its construction machinery production base, Banshu Works, Kawasaki has completed a new plant to solely assemble large models, which started operations in June.

 The new facility efficiently produces such large construction machines as six types of Load-Haul-Dump with a bucket capacity of 2.0m³ to 7.0m³ for underground mining and the ultra large wheel loader, the AUTHENT 135ZA-2, with a bucket capacity of 9.2m³. In April the dump truck, AUTHENT KUT300, with a loading capacity of 27 tonnes used for tunnel construction was added to this line up.

 The spacious plant boasts 35 meters in width and 20 meters in length allowing enough room for the safe assembly of four large machines in a row. Two ceiling cranes with a main hoisting weight of 20 tonnes and auxiliary hoisting weight of five tonnes and two semigantry cranes with a hoisting weight of 2.8 tonnes give the works added capacity for lifting operations. The ceiling cranes have a main lifting height of 7.96 meters (auxiliary 8.5 meters) which translates to high efficiency by lifting large components for easy attachment to the machine body.

 The KPS*, which is a production management system that Kawasaki has comprehensively established, has been adopted at Banshu Works since 1995. Importing KPS to the new plant has resulted in the production of quality machinery with short lead times and improved efficiency for many types of construction machines ordered in small quantities.

*	Kawasaki Production System (KPS): Based on just-in-time production, KPS is a Kawasaki-developed production management system applicable both to mass and small-lot production lines.