Cummins Sets $100-Million Plant Expansion for High-Horsepower Engines

July 12, 2010
Five-year project expected to add 200 jobs

Engine-builder Cummins Inc. outlined a $100-million expansion program at Seymour, Ind., for its High-Horsepower Technical Center and high-horsepower engine product line. The project is seen adding approximately 200 engineering and manufacturing jobs over five years, in addition to the 450 employed there now.

Cummins said the project will improve its opportunities for producing high-horsepower clean-diesel and natural gas engines, which drive equipment and vehicles used in power generation, mining, and other heavy industries worldwide, as well as heavy-duty trucks.

"Our high-horsepower business continues to grow in importance," stated Tom Linebarger, Cummins Inc. president and chief operating officer. "This facility and product line expansion will allow us to maintain our technology leadership and strong product portfolio."

The project will involve enlarging the technical center where products are tested, which should be finished by mid-2011. Cummins is renaming the complex from the Cummins Industrial Center to the Seymour Engine Plant, consistent with the designations of many Cummins engine manufacturing facilities.

Cummins plans to add a new, larger-displacement engine to complement its current high-horsepower lineup. This addition will increase the Seymour plant’s capacity and manufacturing capability, including a new assembly line, paint area, and production test cells.

The technical center expansion will almost double the current engineering footprint in the facility and increase Cummins high-horsepower mechanical development capability. Other capital expenditures will include additional equipment, test cells and other facility upgrades. Preparations for the technical center expansion are scheduled to start immediately, and construction is expected to be complete by mid-2011.

“This is an exciting expansion and announcement,” according to Mark Levett, v.p. and general manager of Cummins’ High-Horsepower Business. “Cummins was first to market with our EPA Tier 2 high-horsepower engines, meeting both emissions requirements and our customers’ needs for reliability, durability and performance. We are now ready to strengthen our position as an industry leader by taking this technology to larger high-speed diesel and natural gas engines.”