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Komatsu to Close Moss Vale Plant by 2030, Cutting 265 Jobs in Six Stages — Unions Say New Manufacturing Moves to China
Komatsu Mining’s Underground Soft Rock Australasia division will close its Moss Vale plant by 2030, cutting about 265 jobs (nearly 300 including contractors) across six stages over four years. VP Helen Gibson called it a “strategic reset.” Electrical and overhaul work moves to Rutherford (NSW) and gearbox and final assembly to Rockhampton (Qld). Business Southern Highlands chairman Greg Welsh estimated a $20 million annual regional spending hit. Whitlam MP Carol Berry will meet Komatsu.
If you work at Komatsu’s Moss Vale facility or supply the plant in the NSW Southern Highlands, there are no immediate redundancies today, as the 265 job cuts will roll out across six stages through 2030. However, retaining a role inside Komatsu will require relocating to Rutherford in the Hunter Valley or Rockhampton in Queensland, threatening a $20 million annual consumer spending drop if families leave the Southern Highlands.
Underground Coal Equipment Restructuring and PR vs AMWU China Offshoring Disclosure
Consolidation of Underground Soft Rock Australasia reflects domestic underground coal equipment demand shifting from new fabrication to rebuilds. Publicly, Komatsu framed the closure as domestic consolidation to Rutherford (NSW), Rockhampton (Qld), and Australian machining suppliers. Inside the staff consultation, however, the AMWU revealed Komatsu admitted new equipment manufacturing is shifting to China because local parts manufacturing is “no longer competitive” — leaving Australia with maintenance and overhauls rather than primary manufacturing.
Why is Komatsu closing its Moss Vale plant and where is the work going? Komatsu Mining is closing its Moss Vale facility in six stages by 2030, cutting about 265 jobs as part of a “strategic reset” of its Underground Soft Rock Australasia division. While overhaul and assembly work will move to Rutherford (NSW) and Rockhampton (Queensland), union officials say new mining equipment manufacturing is being shifted to China.
