Deere-Hitachi to Expand Carolina Plant

Deere-Hitachi Construction Machinery says it will increase the size of its excavator factory in Kernersville, N.C., to allow for more production.

The company will invest $97 million to increase capacity on current models and add capacity for additional mid-sized excavators. Some 340 full-time employees would be hired over the next four years, adding to the current labor force of about 700.

Deere-Hitachi will purchase approximately 60 acres of land adjacent to its facility, purchase a warehouse that will be expanded for manufacturing and warehouse space, and expand its existing factory. Overall, manufacturing capacity for excavators will be increased by 60 percent.