Komatsu’s Quarry Days makes its return

By Jack Kopanski| November 22, 2023

Komatsu’s WA475-10 yard loader works in tandem with the Stamler RF-5Q reclaim feeder at the company’s Arizona Proving Grounds in Sahuarita, Arizona, during Komatsu’s Quarry Days. Photo: P&Q Staff

Komatsu welcomed dealers and customers to its Arizona Proving Grounds in Sahuarita, Arizona, for Quarry Days, an event split over two weeks allowing attendees to tour the 660-acre site and get behind the wheel of the company’s latest equipment.

Komatsu displayed several trucks – the HD1500-8E0 and HD 785-8 haul trucks, as well as an HM400-5 articulated truck. Three excavators were also on display in the HB365LC-3, the PC2000-11 and the PC900LC-11. Komatsu also showcased two dozers (a D475A-8 surface mining dozer and a D71PXi-24 dozer), two loaders (a WA475-10 yard loader and a WA900-8 wheel loader), an RF-5Q reclaim feeder, a ZT44 track drill and the new GD955-7 motor grader.

Additionally, information and demonstrations were available for Komatsu’s Smart Quarry technology and My Komatsu online fleet management portal.

Jill Rick, manager of public relations and corporate social responsibility at Komatsu, was excited to bring customers and dealers together for the event. It was the first time Komatsu hosted Quarry Days since 2019, as it had been put on hold due to COVID-19.

“It’s so exciting to see how much fun the customers and dealers have and how enthusiastic they are about testing out the equipment,” Rick says. “It’s been a really great turnout so far. The first week, we had a record number of people and this week, the numbers are even higher. I think people are just excited to be post-COVID and get out and do things like this because it’s been so long. It’s been a great event so far.”

Among the dealers on hand for Quarry Days was Roland Machinery Co., a Komatsu dealer based in Franksville, Wisconsin, which sells and services Komatsu equipment throughout Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Illinois, northern Indiana and eastern Missouri. Roland Machinery sales manager Jeremy Kerber and territory manager Aaron Strade were in attendance.

This year marked the first time either Kerber or Strade attended Quarry Days. Roland brought eight employees from four customer companies to take part in the event. Kerber appreciated the opportunity to get customers an up close and personal looks at the equipment Komatsu offers.

“It’s nice to show our appreciation back to [our customers],” Kerber says. “To take them on a special event where it’s not like an agg show in Wisconsin where everybody shows up. You’re singling them out and saying: ‘Hey, I want to take you here. Would you be willing to go?’ It makes them feel special, and it shows that you care about the big picture of the relationship and not just the one sale.”