A Gehl RS series telehandler

Gehl Company will expand its South Dakota telehandler plant to cope with strong demand in the telehandler market.

Through a USD6.5 million project, Gehl will add 30,000 square feet (2,800 square metres) to its Yankton facility and invest in technological production enhancements that include increased laser cutting and robotics and adding a new paint system.

The expansion, when completed in January 2007, will see telehandler production capacity rise 50 per cent more than current capacity.

The Yankton facility currently produces 16 telehandler models with load capacities ranging from 6,000lbs to 12,000lbs (2,722kg to 5,443kg) and lift heights from 34 feet to 44 feet (10.36 metres to 13.41 metres).

Gehl will discontinue manufacturing and distributing agricultural implement product lines by June.

Gehl CEO William D Gehl said the company was responding to a reduction of its traditional dairy farmer customer base and the subsequent decline in sales and earnings for implement product lines.