 MCFA's manufacturing facility in Houston |
Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift America Inc (MCFA) has introduced the Jungheinrich ETR series of pantograph reach trucks and reports its expanded electric products manufacturing facility in Houston is running at full production.
"(Completed in November), this expansion gives MCFA the ability to build all five classes of product on our Houston campus, which is unique in North America,"says Jay Gusler, MCFA vice president of operations. MCFA manufactures forklifts under the Cat lift trucks, Mitsubishi forklift trucks and Jungheinrich warehouse product brands and distributes them through its dealer networks in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Gusler adds, "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 over 100 new manufacturing jobs for the local Houston economy."
The site has dedicated facilities for production of internal combustion (IC) engine and electric-powered forklifts. IC products of 1 T. to 16 T. are built in the IC factory. The new electric building manufactures warehouse products, such as the Jungheinrich ECR 327/336 series of electric end rider pallet trucks and the ETR series.
MCFA is using advanced techniques such as a flex manufacturing system that optimises parts flow and increases production efficiency. A state-of-the-art, end-of-the-line testing system evaluates mast performance and truck stability.
The expansion increased MCFA's under-roof manufacturing capacity by more than 40%.
MCFA is ISO 9001-2000 certified and has obtained compliance certification from the California Air Resources Board.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd and Caterpillar Industrial Inc formed MCFA through a joint venture in 1992. Jungheinrich forklifts in North America joined the organisation in January 2010 through a manufacturing and distribution agreement with MCFA.
Other entities include Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift Europe BV in Almere, Netherlands and Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift Asia Pte Ltd in Singapore.