Caterpillar expands India presence with new plant for backhoe loaders

April 13: Caterpillar India has recently launched the company’s new backhoe loader manufacturing facility in Thiruvallur, near Chennai. The new plant not only strengthens the company’s growing presence in India but also augments the distribution channel for the earth-moving machine by bringing in enhanced local production capabilities. The facility was inaugurated by Robert Droogleever, general manager for Caterpillar BHL Worldwide.

Robert Droogleever, BHL general manager, said: “Our new facility is a testimony to the growing importance that India as a market commands in our global backhoe loader business strategy today. The demand for backhoe loaders has been gaining traction with the construction equipment industry growing at a rate of 15-20 percent per annum. With local manufacturing and long-term commitment to our world-class standards, we aim to provide a quality product that meets this growing demand and brings us closer to our aim of attaining a market leadership position”.

Kevin Thieneman, country manager - India, ASEAN and China (pictured), said: "India will make significant investments over the next several decades to build its infrastructure and support higher levels of urbanisation. This facility, our fourth manufacturing operation in India, positions us to meet industry growth and enables us to better serve our customers with the broadest range of products in the industry."