Cat to open new manufacturing facility in China
Hydraulic excavator undercarriage components to be produced Xuzhou in Jiangsu Province
CATERPILLAR Inc. have announced plans to open a new manufacturing facility in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, China, for the production of undercarriage components and track assemblies for use on Cat hydraulic excavators. Construction and modifications to pre-existing buildings will commence in 2011, with production scheduled for mid-2012.
‘This new facility is our latest strategic investment to continue expanding our presence and capacity in the Asia/Pacific region,’ said Stu Levenick, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for customer and dealer support.
‘Together with our joint venture, AsiaTrak Ltd, in Tianjin, China, which also manufactures undercarriage components and track assemblies, Caterpillar are well positioned to meet the long-term demands of customers in China and Asia/Pacific.’
When fully operational and at full capacity, the 18,000 square meter facility is expected to employ about 400 people.
‘This is an exciting opportunity for us to better serve our customers and provide support in China and throughout Asia/Pacific,’ added Greg Folley, Caterpillar vice-president with responsibility for the Remanufacturing & Components Division. ‘We are committed to meeting the needs of customers around the world, and believe the new facility will enable us to gain a leadership position in the undercarriage business in China.’
Caterpillar say they expect to realize a number of cost-saving benefits from the new facility. It will be located adjacent to the Caterpillar Xuzhou hydraulic excavator facility, allowing shipment of finished undercarriage components to the Cat machine facility for final assembly.
