| Komatsu |
Celebrating a New Season with a Special Visit
Komatsu has marked the start of its second year as the principal partner of Atlassian Williams Racing with a special visit from the Formula 1 team to its Welshpool facility in Perth. Williams Racing team principal James Vowles and ambassador Jacques Villeneuve toured the 200,000m² site, which houses over 770 Komatsu employees and assembles advanced construction and mining machinery, including the company’s industry-leading autonomous, electric drive mining haul trucks.
“It is always a pleasure to welcome our partners at Atlassian Williams Racing into the heart of Komatsu’s day-to-day operations, and especially so at the start of a new year of our partnership,” Komatsu vice president of global brand transformation Todd Connolly said.
“Each time we have had this opportunity in the past twelve months, it has proven to be a mutually memorable experience with our Komatsu colleagues immersing themselves into our partnership just as much as our friends at Williams learn more about our business.
“Starting a new season in Australia offered us the perfect opportunity to share and showcase the partnership to our colleagues in Perth – after our visit to Wacol, Brisbane last year – and it was another special day.”
Vowles and Villeneuve met Komatsu employees, explored the world-class remanufacturing centre, and even had the chance to drive a Komatsu HD1500 rigid dump truck, earning cheers from the assembled staff. The visit concluded with a Q&A session attended by over 300 Komatsu employees, bringing the partnership to life in an engaging and interactive setting.
Strengthening Collaboration for the Future
“It was great to be back at a Komatsu facility as we start the 2025 season,” Vowles said. “The value created in this partnership is undeniable, and to be able to meet so many of the people that make it happen is truly special.
“We are delighted to be continuing our relationship with Komatsu, and this visit is just the first step we are taking together in year two.”
The team will welcome two Komatsu employees to its garage for a ‘day in the life’ experience and was back on the track in Melbourne on the weekend, with Atlassian Williams driver Alex Albono finishing fifth.
This visit marks Williams Racing’s ninth trip to a Komatsu facility in 12 months, reinforcing the strong connection between the two organisations as they continue their collaboration into the new season.
