Caterpillar to expand new US excavator factory
20 June 2011
Caterpillar has announced an extension to its as-yet uncompleted new excavator factory in Victoria, Texas, US. The original US$ 130 investment in the new 850000 ft2 (79000 m2)site was announced in August, and Caterpillar now says it will spend another US$ 70 million to add a further 200000 ft2 (18590 m2)of roofed space.
The additional space will increase manufacturing capacity at the plant above the initially planned levels, by bringing the manufacture of selected fabrications into the facility.
Gary Stampanato, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for hydraulic excavators said, "Based on our analysis of where customer demand is moving for excavators in the years ahead, it makes sense to increase capacity in Victoria now, so that we can better serve our customers. In addition, we have also determined Victoria is the right location to produce selected fabrications for the excavators that will be assembled in this new facility."
Production at the Victoria factory is due to start in mid-2012. Caterpillar says when the plant is fully operational it will triple its current excavator production capacity in the US.