Chattanooga Regional Manufacturers Association

Komatsu's Chattanooga operation began in 1985. At the time, it was the third major Japanese investment in Tennessee and the first in Chattanooga. There's a long manufacturing history at this site. North American Royalties opened its manufacturing plant in 1952. The NAR plant made munitions for military use during the Korean War. Lockheed bought the plant in 1966 and produced airplane parts until 1972, when it was sold to Koehring-Lorain. It was a crane-assembly plant. Komatsu is investing on its future workforce. Komatsu is working with Hamilton, Marion and Sequatchie county schools to get interested students earlier starts on training. Five students who comprised the first pre-apprentice class two years ago joined Komatsu full-time. Six students are in the training program this year, and hopefully there will be 10 next year. Join us for presentation and tour. We are inviting teachers to register student groups.