Caterpillar announced on March 14 that its hydraulic facility in Sumters Black River Airport Industrial Park in Columbia, South Carolina, will nearly triple the facilitys footprint, from 100,000 square feet to 275,000 square feet.
The facility currently produces small hydraulic cylinders used in a variety of Cat products. The additional capacity will bring the production of large hydraulic cylinders from the companys Joliet, Illinois, facility to Sumter. Once the expansion is completed, the Sumter facility will be the primary source for small and large hydraulic cylinders for North and South America. The expansion in Sumter will allow the Joliet facility to focus on increasing production for other components currently produced in Joliet.
The $20 million investment is expected to create more than 80 new jobs over two years, once the expansion is completed.
"Caterpillar has been a part of South Carolina's business community for years, and today's announcement strengthens their commitment to our state. We are thrilled that Caterpillar is expanding in South Carolina, furthering our states manufacturing and exports momentum," said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.
The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved a rural infrastructure grant worth $200,000 for the county to help with site preparation and job development credits will also be available when hiring targets are met.
Last year, South Carolina recruited more than $4.7 billion in investment and more than 13,000 new jobs in the manufacturing sector.
See Also
Caterpillar to Shift Production from Japan to New U.S. Plant Planned for Georgia
Caterpillar Posts Record Revenue
