Kubota Adds Manufacturing Capacity
for RTV Utility Vehicle Production

Kubota Corp. expanded its production potential to increase its capacity to supply the all-terrain transport market with more orange and able-bodied RTVs. The company has enlarged its Kubota Mfg. of America (KMA) plant in Gainesville, Ga., officially opening an additional production line with a state-of-the-art, high-tech painting system utilized in the production of Kubota’s popular RTV utility vehicles.

“Today’s reopening of our new Building One production line is the culmination of planned growth for Kubota manufacturing space here in Georgia, representing a $20 million investment in future production capabilities for KMA. The technology represented with this new production line is world class,” explained Tim Yoshii, president of KMA. “As demand increases for Kubota-branded products in the United States, Kubota is committed to service high-quality and innovative products manufactured efficiently.” 

Dignitaries from Kubota Corp., Osaka, Japan, and its affiliates in North America — Kubota Tractor Corp., Kubota Industrial Equipment, Kubota Engine of America, Kubota Canada and Kubota Credit Corp. — gathered to mark the momentous occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Gainesville, Ga., KMA plant.

“The success of KMA and the excitement over the addition to our current production capacity, is a direct result of the increasing interest in Kubota products and our dedicated employees. We look forward to continuing to grow in our newly expanded KMA facility,” said Brian Arnold, director of manufacturing at KMA. 

KMA recently re-engineered the 212,000-sq ft KMA plant, after moving part of the production facility work to newly opened affiliate Kubota Industrial Equipment in nearby Jackson County, Ga., during a planned increase in total manufacturing capabilities in North America for Kubota. This reopening marks the completed installation of manufacturing equipment that will be dedicated to the production of RTV utility vehicles, offered in both traditional Kubota orange for worksite, general use and turf utility work, plus camouflage recreational models. The new Kubota RTV1100 utility vehicle, offering a standard factory-integrated cab including air-conditioning, is expected to arrive in Kubota dealer showrooms later in spring 2007.

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Monster Mustang Skid Steer at WOC

Among the compact equipment displayed by Mustang at the World of Concrete show in Las Vegas (Jan. 23-26) was a 2109 skid steer equipped with monster-sized tires. According to Mustang marketing manager Doug Snorek, the idea behind the supped-up 2109 was inspired by an actual Mustang customer.

Pennsylvania-based Appalachian Fence uses a similar setup on the company’s Mustang to install livestock fencing on rugged terrain. The large tires, along with a self-designed posthole digging attachment, keeps the work moving at a fast pace up ridges, through streams and across mountainous territory.

Using the World of Concrete unit as a backdrop for attendee keepsake photos was only part of the reason behind the company’s inclusion of the unit in its booth — which also displayed telehandlers, compact excavators, all-wheel steer loaders and track loaders.

“The idea was to get both potential and current customers thinking about how they could use a skid steer and attachments,” explains Snorek. “We hoped this would inspire them to think outside the box.”

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President George W. Bush Visits Cat Facility in Illinois

Caterpillar Inc. recently hosted the commander in chief at the company’s manufacturing facility in East Peoria, Ill., where President George W. Bush commended Caterpillar for successfully demonstrating that U.S. companies can successfully compete on the world stage.

“The U.S. and global economy have benefited from the President’s pro-growth tax and free trade policies, which have stimulated strong economic growth,” said Caterpillar chairman and CEO Jim Owens while introducing the President. “I thank Team Caterpillar for representing the competitive American spirit and positioning our company to take advantage of the opportunity created.”

During his visit, the President highlighted free trade agreements put in place during his administration, which have benefited companies like Cat. The machines and products made in East Peoria and at Caterpillar facilities across the United States are shipped throughout the world. Caterpillar exported more than $10 billion in products from the United States in 2006, a record for the company. Bush also recognized worker training programs, safe workplaces and competitive health care benefits that make up the culture of excellence and accomplishment at Caterpillar.

“Today’s presidential visit was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our employees,” said Bob Williams, the Caterpillar vice president who leads the company’s U.S. Operations Division. “Many of our employees got to meet the President, and he, in turn, praised them for their hard work building Caterpillar’s signature product: the track-type tractor. These machines are the workhorse of the world’s greatest construction projects. They are a strong export product for our company and represent American manufacturing at its best.”

Bush talked about how communities like Peoria contribute to the strength of the American economy. The President said he was impressed with the quality of Cat machines that are in demand all over the globe, but even more impressed with the American workers who build them.

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Cub Cadet and Yanmar Announce Joint Venture

The mighty manufacturing magnates of Cub Cadet and Yanmar recently announced plans to market a full line of compact tractors and implements together in the United States and Canada. The joint venture has led to the formation of C.U.T. Supply Company, LLC, headquartered in Valley City, Ohio.

“This unique partnership connects two powerful brands with reputations for innovation, reliability and high performance,” said Masashi Shimo, of Yanmar, who has been appointed president of C.U.T. Supply Co. LLC.” We feel that these qualities will allow us to deliver smart, user-focused solutions to the growing number of consumers and commercial and government users in need of a compact utility tractor.”

A pioneer of compact, powerful diesel engines since 1933 and a maker of compact utility tractors and agricultural equipment, Yanmar’s products are recognized as innovative, reliable leaders worldwide. Cub Cadet, the leader in premium outdoor power equipment, has a legacy of high-quality engineering and producing equipment that meets the lifestyle needs of today’s large property owner. Together, the company’s new line of premium compact tractors will offer users well-designed, high-performance products up to 50 hp.

“By combining our expertise, we will help homeowners, municipalities, institutions, farmers and businesses achieve their goals with enhanced productivity and proven reliability,” said Nathan Walker, senior vice president of sales at Cub Cadet. “Our goal is to exceed expectations from purchase and delivery to operation and service.”

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CE Sweepstakes Winner

The Longfellows of New York Ride Away with a New ASV RC-30

Good things come to those who read Compact Equipment. In early Febuary, ASV sales manager Gregg Warfall delivered a new RC-30 to Richard Longfellow of Geneseo, N.Y. Longfellow was the prize winner of Compact Equipment’s Weekend Warrior Sweepstakes. The delivery was in conjunction with the 2007 Western New York Nursery and Landscape Association Trade Show and Education Conference, which was sponsored by ASV dealer Baschmann Services Inc. Longfellow is planning to expand his part-time landscaping business this spring and his RC-30 rubber track loader will certainly have a positive impact on his getting that business up and running.

“I’ll develop [my landscaping business] by purchasing attachments and going into landscape applications like ground leveling, backhoe work, lawn finishing and using it to move mulch, gravel or dirt, instead of wheel barrowing,” says Longfellow. “I’ve already picked up two jobs just by the word that I have this machine.”

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RSC Equipment Rental Announces Winner of Ford Truck

Now, Frank Zwolinski is a Ford truck man. Zwolinski works for Oakenshield Development Co., Wirtz, Va., and is the winner of RSC Equipment Rental’s “Tell Us How You Feel – To Get Behind the Wheel” contest for a new Ford pickup truck.

RSC, a leading provider of rental equipment and services throughout North America, in partnership with Ford Motor Co., gave away the new Ford pickup as part of a campaign to learn equipment rental success stories from its customers. More than 7,000 qualified entries were received from almost all 50 states and Canada. 

Entrants were encouraged to submit a rental story about their experiences with RSC, and although this was not required to win, more than 3,000 entries included rental experience stories. 

“This promotion was a tremendous success,” said Ellen Steck, vice president of marketing for RSC Equipment Rental. “The stories we received reinforce why RSC is the industry leader when it comes to around-the-clock customer service and exceptionally well-maintained equipment. It is gratifying to see how important the rental relationship is to our customers and even more exciting to be able to thank one of our customers with a brand new truck.

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Stiff Competition

Polaris Saddles Up Its ATVs for the “Worlds Toughest Rodeo”

Polaris, maker of the “World’s Toughest ATVs,” has teamed with “The World’s Toughest Rodeo” as a sponsor and as the official ATV brand of the series. “The World’s Toughest Rodeo” features gnarly events like the Bulls and Broncs
competition where rodeo specialists go bareback or saddle and bull riders compete for individual titles. The coolest event is the Toughest Cowboy competition where eight cowboys compete in three rides (bareback, saddle and bull) for the title of all around rodeo badass. Fans can log onto www.wtrodeo.com for more information and catch “The World’s Toughest Rodeo” on Fox Sports Net at the following times:

Sunday, April 8 9 p.m. Tournament 1
Sunday, April 15 9 p.m. Tournament 2
Sunday, April 22 9 p.m. Tournament 3
Sunday, April 29 9 p.m. Tournament 4
Sunday, May 6 9 p.m. Tournament 5
Sunday, May 13 9 p.m. Tournament 6
Sunday, May 20 9 p.m. Tournament 7
Sunday, May 27 9 p.m. Playoffs
Sunday, June 3 9 p.m. Championship

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