ALMERE, December 20, 2013 – During the annual Dutch-Japanese Trade Federation (DUJAT) dinner on 12 December 2013, the Mayor of Almere and Alderman for Economic Affairs presented the Deshima Netherlands Awards 2013. The award in the category “new investment” was won by Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe B.V.

The awards were introduced in 2007 by the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) and the Dutch-Japanese Trade Federation. They are awarded every two years to successful Japanese investors in the Netherlands and underline the importance of Japanese investment within the Netherlands.

Kobelco received the prize for its uplifting economic impact in the Netherlands and its innovative character. Special mention was also made for exceptional effort by Kobelco with regards to sustainability, social engagement and its interaction with the Dutch business community. The Netherlands is currently home to more than 700 Japanese companies, employing nearly 32,000 people.

Makoto Kato, Managing Director of Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe B.V. said: “This is a great honor to receive such a historic award within such a short period of operation. We continue to serve the community and help to strengthen the relationship between the Netherlands and Japan.”

Ends

From left to right: Mr. Radboud Molijn, Managing Director of DUJAT, Ms. Annemarie Jorritsma, Mayor of Almere, Mr. Makoto Kato, Managing Director of Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe B.V., Mr. Masaru Tsuji, Japanese Ambassador to the Netherlands, Mr. Laurens Jan Brinkhorst, Chairman of Jury of Deshima Netherlands Awards, Mr. Perry Buenen, Chief Supply Chain Management & Canon Unity Programme at Canon Europe N.V., Mr. Jan-Willem Groot, City Council member of Amstelveen, Mr. Hans Bax, Chairman of DUJAT, and Mr. Bas Pulles, member of the jury of Deshima Netherlands Awards (also commissioner for NFIA).

About Kobelco
Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe B.V. is wholly owned by Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. Japan, dedicated to sales and services of a full range of crawler excavators in the 1t to 50t classes.
Kobelco is well-known worldwide as a leading excavator manufacturer. Kobelco machines are well-regarded for their advanced technologies, including an innovative noise and dust reduction system, advanced hydraulic circuitry for power and smooth controllability and superior fuel efficiency.

For more information about DUJAT please visit http://www.dujat.nl.

For more information about Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe B.V. or Kobelco products, please visit https://www.kobelco-europe.com.

For any queries, please contact:
Sander Gesink
Brand Marketing & Communication Manager
Telephone: +31 36 2020 352
Email: sander.gesink@kobelco.com