Caterpillar Inc. plans to expand the range of products manufactured at its Tosno plant, near St. Petersburg, to include off-highway trucks. The plan includes capital investment described as “significant” by Caterpillar officials though the company has not indicated the value of the project. It said production will begin immediately, and shipments of finished trucks will be made this year.
The wholly owned Tosno plant has been fabricating large construction machine components since early 2000, for the Russian market and export to Europe. In 2008 the plant began assembling two models of hydraulic excavators for sale in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
Growing Russian and C.I.S. demand for mining and quarrying machinery is cited for the expansion program. Caterplliar plans to produce its 773E off-highway trucks.
Caterpillar’s off-highway trucks are designed specifically for mining, quarrying, and construction use, with nominal payloads from 40 to 100 tons and engines rated from 1,750 to 2,000 RPM.
"This is a significant investment in the future and demonstrates Caterpillar's long-term commitment to a growing quarry and mining market in Russia and the CIS," stated Caterpillar group president Steve Wunning. "Producing the 773E in Russia puts us closer to the customer and has the company well-positioned to meet increased demand for Caterpillar mining and quarry products."
