Link-Belt Construction Equipment Co. held ribbon cutting ceremonies to celebrate the completion of a 90,000-sq ft (8,361 sq m) expansion to its main telescopic-boom and lattice-boom crane factory in Lexington, Kentucky. Kensuke Shimizu, Director of Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Link-Belt’s parent company, cut the ribbon to commemorate the opening.  

Caterpillar Major China Expansions Caterpillar is set to further increase its presence in China, with more investment in its China-based research and development operations, which in turn will support the manufacturer’s expanding manufacturing footprint in the region. Caterpillar has selected the city of Wuxi in the Jiangsu province as the location for a multi-functional R&D centre, which will serve the company’s ventures in China and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region.  

New JCB Excavator Factory JCB has begun to shift UK production of its excavator range to a new UK£ 40 million (€ 50 million) factory. The first machines to be built at the new facility - zero tailswing tracked and wheeled excavators - will come off the production line by the end of August. Located close to its existing factories near the town of Uttoxeter, the new 42000 m2 production site will replace the restricted town-centre facility previously used by JCB`s Heavy Products division. 

Rises at Palfinger Knuckle boom crane manufacturer Palfinger Group revenue of €423.5 million (US$631 million) in the first half of 2008 was 24.3% above the €340.6 million ($508 million) in the same period of 2007. EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) rose to €59.6 million ($89 million), 16.9% greater than the €51.0 million ($76 million) of the same period of 2007.  

Bobcat to redesign its telehandler range Bobcat (USA) has completed a 24 month program to redesign its entire telehandler range comprising 12 models with maximum lifting heights of 5.2 to 17.4 m. The Tier III engine handlers are built on a common platforms, with the main components and control points situated in the same place on every model.