Cat opens Brazilian assembly line

Caterpillar Inc., headquartered in Peoria, Ill., has opened a new assembly line for underground mining loaders in Brazil. In response to the continuing strong demand for mining equipment, Cat now is manufacturing the R1600G LHD in the long-established Caterpillar facility in So Paulo State, Brazil. The new assembly line creates a second source for Cat LHDs, which previously had been manufactured solely in Tasmania, Australia.

The R1600G is one of five models of Caterpillar LHDs, and it is the most popular of the line in Latin America. Moving all R1600G manufacturing to Brazil also opens space for expanded production of other loader models in Australia. The newest Brazil product, the R1600G, is a 29,800-kg machine when loaded. It carries a payload of about 10,200 kg, and it is powered by a Cat engine producing 200 kW. See www.Cat.comfor more details.

The Caterpillar Brazil plant near Piracicaba has a 53-year history of manufacturing excellence. The plant now employs about 5,000 people and manufactures 28 different machine models within the families of hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, compactors, motor graders, backhoe loaders and track-type tractors. The plant consistently delivers new products at high quality levels and has earned many ISO certifications and quality awards.