The recently-expanded Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America plant in Houston, Texas, is now at full capacity, building new forklifts under the Mitsubishi, Cat and Jungheinrich brand names, company officials announced recently. The facility recently underwent a complete overhaul that expanded its capacity by 40%.
Since the expansion was completed last November, production has ramped back up to full speed, according to Jay Gusler, vice president of operations for MCFA.
“The recent expansion gives MCFA the ability to build all five classes of product on our Houston campus, which is unique in North America,” Gusler said. “MCFA’s ability to produce all forklift classes in one facility allows us to more efficiently support the increasing demands of our North American dealer network as well as our growing export business. With this addition, we also created 100 new manufacturing jobs for the local Houston economy.”
The plant now has the capacity to build both internal combustion and electrically-powerfed forklifts. One to-16 ton IC vehicles are built in the IC portion of the campus while a new electric building produces warehouse products such as Jungheinrich electric end rider pallet trucks and pantograph reach trucks.
The expansion added 60,000 square feet to the facility, which can now build 10,000 additional units per year. It features state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques, such as the flex manufacturing system, which optimizes parts flow and increases production efficiency. The plant also has a high-tech, end-of-the-line testing system for mast performance and truck stability.