Caterpillar India launched the company's new backhoe loader manufacturing facility in Thiruvallur near Chennai. The new facility not only strengthens the company's growing presence in India but also augments the distribution channel for this popular earth-moving machine by bringing in enhanced local production capabilities. The facility was inaugurated by Robert Droogleever, General Manager for Caterpillar BHL Worldwide.

Leadership aim

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% 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 & China, said, "India will make significant investments over the next several decades to build its infrastructure and support higher levels of urbanization.  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."

Built for India, In India

By increasing their manufacturing footprint to India, Caterpillar aims to provide Indian customers one of the most reliable and sought after heavy-duty vehicles thus ensuring completion of their construction jobs in a highly efficient and productive manner. To be manufactured at the new facility in Thiruvallur, Cat backhoe loaders bring together reliable and time tested features with unique and market leading technologies at prices that are within the reach of the mass market.

Cat Power Shuttle Transmission

• Fully synchromesh in all gears
• Constant mesh gear ratios on all gears permit on the go shifting of all gears
• Torque convertor free-wheel clutch allows convertor stator to free wheel during high speed low-load conditions like roading

Load sensing closed center Hydraulic system

• Variable flow, closed-center, load sensing system providing full hydraulic force to cutting edges at all engine speeds
• Low fuel consumption and low effort controls
  

About Caterpillar

For more than 85 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making sustainable progress possible and driving positive change on every continent. With 2011 sales and revenues of $60.138 billion, Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. The company also is a leading services provider through Caterpillar Financial Services, Caterpillar Remanufacturing Services, Caterpillar Logistics Services and Progress Rail Services. More information is available at: http://www.caterpillar.com