Caterpillar to build off-highway trucks in Russia

Company commences production of 773E dumptrucks at its Tosno manufacturing facility

IN response to growing demand for their mining and quarry products in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Caterpillar have announced that they will start producing Cat 773E off-highway trucks at their manufacturing plant in Tosno, Leningrad Oblast, where two models of Cat excavators and large fabricated components for construction machines are currently produced.

‘This is a significant investment in the future and demonstrates Caterpillar’s long-term commitment to a growing quarry and mining market in Russia and the CIS,’ said Caterpillar group president Steve Wunning. ‘Producing the 773E in Russia puts us closer to the customer and has the company well positioned to meet increased demand for Caterpillar mining and quarry products.’

Since March 2000, Caterpillar have operated a fully-owned production facility in Tosno, which is part of the company’s long-term strategic initiative to increase its presence in Russia and the CIS. Caterpillar currently employs over 400 people at the Tosno plant and expect to hire around 100 additional employees to support the 773E manufacturing operations.

‘We are proud to be creating new jobs, providing training to build a great product and investing in the Russian economy,’ said Luis de Leon, vice-president of Caterpillar’s Mining Products Division. ‘Our future is all about growth with the best products, best distribution, best facilities and best people, and this expansion in Tosno is a big part of that story.’

Production of the 773E dumptrucks will commence immediately, with the first customer shipments to be made from Tosno by the end of 2011.