JAKARTA – Despite the normalisation of coal mining industry after sudden surge in commodity price in the past couple of years, PT United Tractors Tbk (UNTR), Astra Group entity in the distribution of heavy equipment for mining, gains confidence and revises the projection of Komatsu sales to 4500 units.

“I can say that our outlook for the end of this year improves. Initially, we aim sales of only 4000 units. However, looking at growth of demand from mining industry that does quite well, we revise our target higher to 4500 units. Compared to Full Year (FY) 2023, the decline is approximately 15%,” said Sara K. Loebis, Corporate Secretary of UNTR, when met at Astra Media Day 2024 today (18/9).

Furthermore, Loebis admitted that the decrease in Komatsu sales in July 2024 was quite significant, reaching 29% year-on-year (yoy) to 2515 units. This trend has been evident since June (6M) 2024, reporting 32% yoy slippage, thus lowering UNTR’s revenue by 6% yoy to IDR 64.5 trillion.

It is worth noting that heavy equipment sales indeed cover a considerable portion in UNTR’s total revenue, even included as one of three primary business lines along with mining contractor and coal mining.

However, in line with its optimism and higher target, on the same occasion, Loebis claimed that UNTR is ready to distribute two latest Komatsu units, namely Komatsu PC350LC-8M2, with long crawler feature fit for mining activities, and PC300-8M2, a more economical option fit for construction and nickel mining.

“There are mines requiring high-capacity equipment, of over 100 tons, but there are also medium-scale mines; these types are launched to compete with other brands [in its scale],” added Loebis. (ZH)