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Cat studies U.S. excavator plant

March 11, 2010 |

Caterpillar says it will study the possibility of locating a new excavator facility in the United States, a move that could triple the current capacity of excavators now produced in the country.

The Cat 319D may be a U.S.-produced model in the future.

Currently Cat produces two excavator models — the 336 and 345 — in Aurora, Illinois, a plant that also produces wheel loaders, soil and landfill compactors, wheel dozers and components. The company also produces excavators in Belgium, Brazil, China, France, Indonesia, Japan and Russia.

If finalized, the new plant would manufacture the two models made in Aurora, as well as several models now produced in Japan and exported to the United States. The U.S. plant would be the primary North American source for excavators, freeing up the company’s Akashi, Japan, facility to better service customers in the Asia-Pacific region.