<PAGE>
FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of February, 2000
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 1-7239
KOMATSU LTD.
...............................................
Translation of registrant's name into English
3-6 Akasaka 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
............................................
Address of principal executive offices
<PAGE>
-2-
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN REPORT
------------------------------------
1. One company announcement made on February 14, 2000.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
KOMATSU LTD.
------------------------
(Registrant)
Date: February 17, 2000 By: /s/Masaru Fukase
---------------------
Masaru Fukase
Senior Executive
Officer
News Release
February 14th, 2000
Komatsu Forklift Co., Ltd.
<PAGE>
-3-
General Affairs Dept.
Phone: +81-3-3224-6522
Komatsu Ltd.
Public Relations & Advertising Dept.
Phone: +81-3-5561-2616
KOMATSU AND KOMATSU FORKLIFT AGREE
TO COOPERATION IN LIFT TRUCK BUSINESS WITH LINDE
Komatsu Ltd. and Komatsu Forklift Co., Ltd. have reached a mutual
understanding with Linde AG of Germany on the outline of their intent to
cultivate a cooperative global relationship in the field of manufacture and
sales of lift trucks and related products. The parties will proceed to the
discussion of details with a view to concluding a definitive agreement during
the next months.
In addressing the age of global competition, the Komatsu Group has been
striving to strengthen the bases for its operations. As part of the effort, and
on the basis of their close relationship, Komatsu and Komatsu Forklift will
jointly endeavor to improve the competitiveness of the Group's lift truck
business and will establish cooperative relations with the Linde Group, the
world's largest lift truck manufacturer. In connection with this cooperation
Komatsu Forklift will acquire 10% of Fiat-OM's (a Linde subsidiary) shares while
Linde will acquire 10% of Komatsu Forklift's shares.
It is the intention of the parties that the Komatsu Forklift shares to
be acquired by Linde will be made available through allotment of new shares,
although the details, such as the number of new shares to be issued, the issue
price and the date of payment, are targeted to be determined around the end of
March. Part of the proceeds from the capital increase will be used as capital
investment in Fiat-OM, with the balance to be used as a fund for implementing
various measures aimed at reinforcement of the operations.
In the case that the earlier-mentioned capital increase takes place,
Komatsu plans to underwrite part of such a capital increase and raise its
shareholding ratio in Komatsu Forklift from the current 39.2% to a little over
45%, with a view to converting the status of Komatsu Forklift in the future to a
company accounted for on a consolidated basis.
Komatsu Forklift enjoys a solid operating base in Japan while the Linde
Group maintains a strong position in Europe. Thus, Komatsu Forklift in Japan and
Fiat-OM in Italy are expected to function as the cores for the parties' mutual
supply of products. It is envisaged that Komatsu Forklift will distribute
Linde's lift trucks, in addition to its own, through its strong domestic sales
network in Japan while Fiat-OM will begin local production of Komatsu Forklift's
engine-driven lift trucks for the European market and distribute the same
through the existing sales network of Komatsu Forklift.
In the United States, it is planned that Komatsu Forklift will supply
some trucks designed for the specific needs of the US market to Linde, while in
Asia, certain engine-driven products of Komatsu Forklift will be produced at
Linde's plant in China.
Further synergies are to be realized by a mutual exchange of industrial
truck components.
The worldwide cooperation must still be approved by the Anti-Trust
Authorities.
Outline of Linde AG
- -------------------
Location: Wiesbaden, Germany
Establishment: June 1879
Capitalization: Euro305 million
Sales: DM10,738 million (1998)
President: Gerhard Full
No. of Employees: 33,371
Line of Business: Process Engineering and Contracting Division,
Industrial Trucks and Hydraulics Division,
Refrigeration and Shop Equipment Division,
Industrial Gases Division
(end)
