Cat opens 1.1 million-sq.-ft. hydraulic excavator facility in Victoria, Texas

Caterpillar celebrated the grand opening on Aug. 23 with a new, 1.1 million-square-foot hydraulic excavator facility in Victoria, Texas.

The operation represents a $200 million investment by Caterpillar to increase excavator capacity and production in the United States, according to a Caterpillar press release.

The company has already hired about 225 new employees in Victoria, and says it plans to continue hiring based on demand for products made in Victoria and as it ramps up production with additional models to be produced at the new facility.

“This new facility in Victoria will help us better serve our customers in North America, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to meet some of our newest employees and to see first hand a factory that I am sure will be among the very best we have anywhere in the world,” said Caterpillar Chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman in a written statement.

Prior to taking part in the grand opening ceremony, Oberhelman toured the new facility with leaders from Caterpillar’s Excavation Division and with Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Gov. Perry noted in a written statement that Texas is “proud to welcome this new facility and the hundreds of jobs it supports to Victoria, and wish Caterpillar continued success.”

When operating at full capacity, the new Victoria facility will more than triple the current capacity of hydraulic excavators produced by the company in the United States, according to Caterpillar The excavators to be produced in Victoria are now made at a Caterpillar facility in Aurora, Ill., and at a Caterpillar facility in Akashi, Japan.

Expanding capacity in the United States at the new Victoria location will position Caterpillar to better serve North American excavator customers with a single, dedicated facility, the company says. In addition, the Caterpillar facility in Aurora will then focus on other products while the facility in Akashi will be more focused on serving customers in Asia.