Telehandler manufacturer Case New Holland (CNH) has invested more than USD30 million in a 500,000 square foot (46,452 square metre) parts distribution centre in Cameron, Missouri.

CNH parts & service vice president David Ferguson said the site was chosen because it was close to several interstate highways, making the centre a logistics and transport hub.

About 560 CNH dealers in the states of Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana would benefit from the new facility.

The centre is due for completion in early 2007 and will be fully operational by mid-2007. About 150 workers will be employed.

The new distribution centre is the 11th in North America.

In September 2003, CNH opened a master depot in Lebanon, Indiana, northwest of Indianapolis. The parts depots were part of CNH's global plan to improve dealer and customer service, enhance efficiency and cut logistics costs, a CNH statement said.

Duke Realty Corp, of Indianapolis, is developing the project at Crossroads Corporate Centre, about 50 miles northeast of Kansas City, Missouri.