Kubota Corporation is expanding its Kubota Manufacturing of America (KMA) plant in Gainesville, Ga., and officially opens 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," said KMA president Tim Yoshii. "As demand increases for Kubota-branded products in the United States, Kubota is committed to service, high quality and innovative products manufactured efficiently. With this increased capacity for RTV production we expect to offer our customers continued excellence in product quality, while creating great opportunities for our employees and the surrounding business community."
Dignitaries from Kubota Corporation, Osaka, Japan, and its affiliates in North America – Kubota Tractor Corporation, Kubota Industrial Equipment, Kubota Engine of America, Kubota Canada and Kubota Credit Corporation – gathered to mark the momentous occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Gainesville, Ga., KMA plant.
Growth of Kubota Manufacturing
"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, KMA.
KMA recently re-engineered the 212,000-square-foot 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 completion of installation of state-of-the-art 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. Kubota manufactures the RTV series as heavy-duty, high-performing utility vehicles with power, durability and innovative, exclusive features such as auxiliary remote hydraulic tool capabilities. 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.
In addition to the new production line for RTVs, KMA continues to manufacture and assemble Kubota lawn tractors and related products.
"Kubota was awarded 2002's Georgia Manufacturer of the Year as No. 1 in the state for emphasizing quality, improvement and community," says Kit Dunlap, CEO of the Greater Hall County chamber of commerce. "We're pleased to celebrate another Kubota special occasion, and today, we like to refer to Kubota as No. 1 in our community here in Gainesville, too."
As a result of Kubota's commitment to the Japanese concept of "kaizen," Kubota constantly seeks to maximize efficiency while creating quality products. Through constantly seeking better ways for production, Kubota is able to manufacture efficiently and instill a sense of pride in employees.
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