Compaction specialist Sakai America is celebrating a milestone with the production of its 1,000th roller, a SV544 soil compactor, at its Adairsville, Georgia, factory.
Sakai first sold rollers to the U.S. market in 1976. The first machine rolled off the Adairsville line in 2001. The company is also celebrating its 25th year of U.S. manufacturing in 2026.
The specific machine, an SV544TBCF model equipped with a padfoot drum, leveling blade, cab, and removable smooth shell, is heading to Power Motive, a dealer in the western U.S.
Making the 1,000th Sakai compactor
"Producing the 1,000th SV544 is an incredible achievement that speaks volumes about our team," said Kevin McClain, VP of operations. "While technology has changed many industries, we've deliberately maintained a hands-on approach.
"Every machine is assembled with the dedication and craftsmanship of our skilled American employees," McClain said. "Our commitment to quality and reliability is something that is built into every unit by hand. This milestone is a celebration of their hard work and unwavering focus on delivering a machine our customers can depend on, job after job."
Learn the origin of compactors
The SV544, an 84-inch soil compactor in the 12- to 15-ton class, began production in late 2017, replacing the SV540 series. It is engineered for applications like highway foundations, large-scale developments, and site preparation.
Home grown
Each Sakai machine is assembled by hand by skilled American employees. This quality-driven approach ensures that every machine meets the company’s standards for reliability and performance.
"The SV544 has become a standout product in our lineup and our best-selling model in recent years," said Brad Belvin, manager of sales and marketing. "The real advantage is our local manufacturing here in Georgia.
"Being close to our customers allows us to be more responsive, offer better support, and ensure that our soil compactors are perfectly suited for the projects they're tackling across the nation."
About the Author
Frank Raczon
Raczon’s writing career spans nearly 25 years, including magazine publishing and public relations work with some of the industry’s major equipment manufacturers. He has won numerous awards in his career, including nods from the Construction Writers Association, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, and BtoB magazine. He is responsible for the magazine's Buying Files.