Kubota announces plans for new plant in Georgia

Building on 30 years of U.S. activity, Kubota is once again extending business capabilities in North America. Mr. Hatakake, President of Kubota Corporation, announced today that Kubota will expand its U.S. infrastructure by adding an additional manufacturing facility in Georgia.

This new facility will be located in Jackson County, Ga., will contribute to Kubota's overall growth in the U.S., and will expand Kubota's business presence in Georgia by becoming Kubota's fifth facility in the state.

Expressing his confidence in the company's future in the U.S., Mr. Hatakake said, "Since sales continue to rise, we expect overall growth will continue for years to come. This new manufacturing plant will help us meet increasing dealer and customer demands for quality products developed by Kubota for the U.S. market,"

Kubota's tractor business has grown significantly in the United States since the establishment in 1988 of Kubota Manufacturing of America (KMA) in Gainesville, Georgia. As a result, KMA's production capabilities have been stretched to the limit. Their current manufacturing and assembly line-up includes tractor implements such as loaders and backhoes, as well as sub-compact BX Series tractors, lawn and garden tractors, zero turn mowers, and the new RTV900 utility vehicle.

The new operation will give Kubota significant United States production capabilities. Initially, the plant will manufacture tractor implements such as loaders and backhoes. This expansion comes in direct response to the increasing sales and production demands. About half of the Kubota units sold in the U.S. now come from the KMA plant in Gainesville, Georgia.

Construction will begin soon, and is slated for completion in September of 2005. The 400,000-square-foot facility on 88 acres will produce 70,000 tractor implements annually when fully operational. Within the first year, the plant will employ about 500 people, which will greatly contribute to the local economy and job market in the state of Georgia.

Kubota Tractor Corporation (KTC) is the United States marketer and distributor of Kubota branded equipment including a complete line of tractors up to 103 PTO horsepower, performance matched implements, compact construction equipment, consumer lawn and garden equipment, commercial turf products and utility vehicles.