Komatsu Australia, a long-term supporter and sponsor of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia, has signed a two-year agreement as IPWEA's platinum partner.

Komatsu’s relationship with IPWEA began when it sponsored the national conference gala dinner back in 2003. It went on to strengthen its ongoing relationship with IPWEA by becoming the first Platinum Partner in 2010.

This partnership, known as the Komatsu IPWEA Platinum Partner agreement, is primarily built around the Institute’s biennial Australasia conference and the IPWEA FLEET plant and vehicle management program.

Under the latest partnership agreement, Komatsu Australia’s support for the Institute will be recognised in IPWEA’s membership communications, including the website, newsletters, discussion forums, digital magazine and fleet workshops. It will also be a platinum sponsor of IPWEA’s 2017 Australasian conference, and will provide a presentation in a full series of its fleet workshops.

Phillip Atley, Komatsu Australia’s National Business Manager, Government and Construction Graders, says that the company has engaged at a high level with IPWEA for the past 15 years.

“It’s been a long-standing relationship that has helped us enormously in our successes in the local government sector in Australia and New Zealand,” he says.

“Furthering this engagement really helps us reinforce the Komatsu name across local government.

“IPWEA has always been a very good organisation to be engaged with, it’s a very professional institute, and gives us access to the key decision makers at that critical local government level.”

Ross Moody, IPWEA Australasia’s Executive Officer and Director Fleet says IPWEA has been delighted to be able to make an award to Komatsu at its Australasia conference in Rotorua in 2015 in recognition of the company’s long-term support.

“The relationship has stood the test of time and we are proud to continue to have the Komatsu brand associated with the Institute,” he says.

Apart from sponsoring its bi-annual conference gala dinner, Komatsu has been a technical presenter at the IPWEA FLEET one-day professional development workshops over four separate series.

“Each workshop series is delivered over a two-week period and Komatsu’s participation is a substantial contribution to the benefit of the public works sector,” Moody says.

“In each presentation, Komatsu staff have demonstrated a high level of technical expertise and were great ambassadors for the company.

“And what makes this relationship work so well is that we share the same values.”