McHale Komatsu engineers place third, fourth and fifth at European Komatsu technical contest

McHale Komatsu, the UK distributor of Komatsu construction equipment, has reported top-five finishes in all three categories at the 17th European Komatsu Advanced Technical Contest, held on 8 October at Komatsu Italia Manufacturing in Noventa Vicentina, Italy.

The company said its three entrants, James Hughes, Josh Plant and Will Rooke, competed against 34 staff from 15 other European Komatsu depots in Mechanical Repair, Troubleshooting and a Walk Around Inspection.

Hughes finished third in Troubleshooting, Rooke fourth in the Walk Around Inspection and Plant fifth in Mechanical Repair. Rooke also won the team Komatsu knowledge quiz, the company said.

In a statement on its website, McHale Komatsu said: "We're very proud of our staff and appreciate the effort and hard work they have all put in to remain at the top of their game".

The tasks

According to McHale Komatsu, each task was technically demanding but the emphasis throughout was on safety and safe working practices while following clear procedures.

The Mechanical Repair task ran for 45 minutes. Contestants had to receive and understand a work order and then explain to a judge, acting as the customer, what work would be carried out on a SAA4D95LE-7 engine.

The Troubleshooting task used a PW138MR-11 EO machine with a load-sensing leak through the brake pedal, which left all work equipment movements and travel very slow. Diagnosing the fault involved tests on the machine and tracing hydraulic circuits in the shop manual, which the company said proved tricky in many cases.

The Walk Around Inspection used a PC230NHD-11 from a hire fleet showing many obvious signs of heavy use. Higher marks went to contestants for safety, including PPE use and sounding the horn before starting the engine, and for safe operation.

McHale Komatsu said the top five places in each category were separated by only one or two points.

Kevin Henderson, described by the company as lead field service technician at CLS, coached and mentored the three entrants, as he did for the Marubeni-Komatsu entrants at the previous contest.

The previous contest

The 16th European ATC took place on 4 September at the Komatsu Germany Construction factory in Hanover, according to the company's report of that event. The business then competed as Marubeni-Komatsu Ltd against 32 staff from 15 other depots, two fewer rivals than in the 17th contest.

At that contest Ross Logan came first in his category, with Dale Redden fourth and Mike Knowles sixth, the company said. The company said the purpose of the contest is to improve product knowledge, troubleshooting expertise and communication skills across the depots.

A new name

The 17th contest was the first the business has entered as McHale Komatsu. Komatsu Europe announced on 25 November 2025 that it would move its UK distribution from Marubeni-Komatsu Ltd to McHale Plant Sales Ltd, with the transition effective January 2026 subject to regulatory approval.

McHale Komatsu told customers that ownership of Marubeni-Komatsu Limited would transfer from the Marubeni Group to McHale Plant Sales Limited from 1 January 2026, and that it would continue as the sole UK distributor of Komatsu construction and utility products. It described the deal as a change in share ownership only, with operations, structure and team unchanged.

Companies House records the company, number 01040079, as incorporated on 27 January 1972 and using the name Marubeni - Komatsu Limited until 13 January 2026, when it became McHale Komatsu Limited. It is registered at Padgets Lane, Redditch, and lists depots at Hamilton in Lanarkshire, Chester-le-Street in County Durham, Cardiff and Slough.

McHale Plant Sales, founded in 1952 and owned by Michael McHale and Tim Shanahan, is the sole distributor of Komatsu construction equipment in Ireland, according to Komatsu Europe. Komatsu Europe said it would take a minority stake in McHale Plant Sales to support the transition; neither company has given a percentage.

Tadashi Maeda, CEO and managing director of Komatsu Europe International, said at the time that the stake showed long-term commitment to the UK market, "ensuring strength, stability, and confidence for our customers across the country."

The 17th contest was held nine months after the change of ownership took effect on 1 January 2026.