Tigercat expands manufacturing capacity
With the acquisition of three former steel fabrication facilities,
Tigercat significantly expands manufacturing capacity and seeks greater
manufacturing efficiencies.
PARIS, ON, December 3, 2003 - In the wake of steadily growing demand
for Tigercat equipment in North American and international markets, Tigercat has
made a move to significantly increase its manufacturing capacity by acquiring
three facilities from associated suppliers MacDonald Steel and Manufacturers
Metalfab.
The acquisition will have a number of positive effects. Floor space
available for the assembly of Tigercat machines will be greatly expanded.
The assembly of skidders and forwarders are already being relocated
to one of the newly acquired fabrication plants formerly occupied by Metalfab.
The location, in nearby Cambridge, is significantly larger than the Brantford
facility. The move will reduce lead time for
steel fabrications and eliminate transport costs of these bulky steel components from
one plant to another. Skidder frames, grapple tongs and cabs will be fabricated
and and welded in one bay and assembled into finished machines in an adjacent
bay. Our manufacturing efficiency will be considerably enhanced," says
plant manager, Martin Jennings.
By freeing up the former skidder assembly facility, a dedicated plant will be available for loader assembly, one of Tigercat's fastest
growing product lines. "With the addition of the 220 and 244 models plus
the strong demand for the 230 and 240 series loaders, we simply need more
space," comments Jennings. "The
dedicated loader facility will give us the space required to ramp up production
to the levels dictated by current market demands."
Finally, floor space available for track feller buncher assembly, which was
formerly shared with the loader group, will also be increased as a result of the
relocation of the loader line.
With the acquisition, not only will Tigercat staff be more involved with one
of the most important inputs, steel fabrications. Tigercat will also
acquiring equipment and expertise that is in some cases unique to the industry.
"MacDonald Steel has made extensive investment in its fabricating
technology with laser and plasma cutters, massive boring mills and robotic
welders. This puts Tigercat in a strong position," explains Jennings. "Organizational and operational efficiencies will be realized."
The acquisition will increase Tigercat's workforce from approximately 260 to
over 600 people and will add nearly 400,000 sq. ft. (37,000 m2) of
floor space.
About Tigercat
Tigercat Industries designs and manufactures premium quality forestry and
off-road equipment with manufacturing facilities in Canada and Sweden and
world-wide distribution.
Tigercat and the Tigercat logo are registered
trademarks of Tigercat Industries Inc. Other brands and product names are
trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright (c) 2001-2004 Tigercat
Industries Inc.
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For more information, contact:
Paul Iarocci, Tigercat Industries Inc.
519-442-1529 Ext. 314
piarocci@tigercat.com
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