Kobelco plans to build excavator production facility in South Carolina

Kobelco Construction Machinery USA, based in Katy, Texas, plans to construct a hydraulic excavator production facility in Spartanburg, S.C. Kobelco says its market development has been moving at a faster rate than expected since it re-entered the market in 2013. A North American production factory will allow the company to reduce production lead time for its U.S. customers, according to the company.

Kobelco says site preparation for the Spartanburg facility will begin in April. The company expects construction to be completed by December. The $41 million investment will involve the development of a 156,000-sq.-ft. production factory, a 17,000-sq.-ft. office building, machinery parking and a testing area. Kobelco adds that it will have access to major domestic ports, including Charleston, S.C., and Savannah, Ga.

The company says mass production will begin at the North American facility in January 2016.