Cummins Expands High-Horsepower Technical Center

American engine manufacturer Cummins announced yesterday it will be expanding the High-Horsepower Technical Center and its engine line, as a means to increase production capacity of clean-diesel and natural gas engines. The company will invest $100 million in the expansion of the Seymour plant, an expansion which will see the addition of some 200 people at the facility in the following five years.

The expansion will double the current engineering footprint in the facility and increase Cummins high-horsepower mechanical development capability. Additional equipment, test cells and other facility upgrades will also be supported by the investment. Construction is expected to be complete by mid-2011.

"Our high-horsepower business continues to grow in importance," Tom Linebarger, Cummins COO, said in a statement.

"This facility and product line expansion will allow us to maintain our technology leadership and strong product portfolio. Cummins will continue to provide leadership as our customers face ever more challenging worldwide emissions regulations."

The Seymour Engine Plant will begin producing a new, larger-displacement engine in the following years. Cummins plans for the engine to be used in mining, power generation, marine, oil and gas and rail markets.

"This is an exciting expansion and announcement," Mark Levett, Cummins' High-Horsepower Business added.

"Cummins was first to market with our EPA Tier 2 high-horsepower engines, meeting both emissions requirements and our customers' needs for reliability, durability and performance. We are now ready to strengthen our position as an industry leader by taking this technology to larger high-speed diesel and natural gas engines."