Caterpillar Expands in South Carolina

The South Carolina Department of Commerce, Newberry County and the Central SC Alliance have announced Caterpillar plans to increase operations at its facility in Newberry County. The company expects employment at the Newberry facility to increase by about 500 people as a result of the capacity expansion project.

Caterpillar is making a multi-year, significant capital investment in support of the Newberry expansion plan.  The company opened the Newberry generator set facility in 2006 as part of Caterpillar’s Electric Power Division.

“The expansion of our Newberry operation is part of the Electric Power Division’s strategic global manufacturing plan for better serving our customers,” said Joseph Mulay, Newberry facility manager for Caterpillar.  “South Carolina has been an excellent fit for our company, and we are pleased to be increasing operations at our Newberry facility.  We appreciate the continued support we have received from the state Department of Commerce and local officials in Newberry County.”.

Caterpillar’s Electric Power Division includes global design, packaging and marketing responsibilities for Caterpillar electric power generation products, including U.S. locations in South Carolina, Illinois, Indiana and Georgia and international locations in Northern Ireland, India, China and Brazil.

The Electric Power Division includes products branded with the FG Wilson, Olympian and Caterpillar names.  The Newberry facility currently produces a full range of diesel gensets under 200 kW for the North American market. It also produces a limited range of products in the 250 KW to 700KW range. The expansion plan would increase genset production in the 250-1250 kW range primarily for North American customers.  These gensets are typically used as backup power for smaller retail operations, homes, farms and in municipal applications.

“As we work to compete in today’s global economy, our state’s commitment to lowering taxes, reducing regulatory burdens and maintaining a pro-business environment is critical,” Gov. Mark Sanford said.  “Today’s announcement to create 500 new jobs is indeed a sign that we are moving in the right direction, and we remain committed to further enhancing the state’s business environment to allow our existing businesses, like Caterpillar, to be more competitive during these challenging economic times. I’d like to thank Caterpillar for choosing to grow in our state, and also applaud the hardworking team at Commerce as well as the local economic development community in Newberry County.”

SC Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor also hailed the expansion announcement. “Caterpillar continues to enhance its four-county footprint in South Carolina, and this expansion is a positive indication that the efforts of dedicated economic development professionals at the state and local level are working to separate us from the competition for new jobs in this economy,” Taylor said.

“The expansion of the Newberry facility will allow Caterpillar to reach its customers in the nation’s fastest growing market efficiently and reaffirms South Carolina’s ability to provide a high-skilled workforce and unmatched market access. Caterpillar is truly a world-class operation and its growth in Newberry County is sure to positively impact the local community and strengthen the company’s commitment to our state over the long-term,” he added.