27.08.2008

Link-Belt completes plant expansion

US crane company Link-Belt, has held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of a 90,000sq ft (8,361sq metre) expansion to its main production facilities in Lexington, Kentucky.

Kensuke Shimizu, director of Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Link-Belt’s parent company, cut the ribbon to commemorate the opening. The facility contains two new production lines for shot blast, hang line painting, and the assembly and manufacturing of boom and other key components. It will reach full production later in 2008.
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(L-R) Jim Forshee, Chuck Martz and Bruce White of Link Belt, Shunsuke Betsukawa of SHI, Mark Kreyenbuhl of Link-Belt, Kensuke Shimizu of SHI, Melvin Porter of Link-Belt, Tsuneo Nagano and Toshirou Watanabe of SHI, Bill Stramer and Tetsuo 'Ted' Sonodao of

Chuck Martz, Link-Belt's chief executive, said: “The new technology we’ve added is cutting edge and the benefits will soon flow directly to our customers through better availability and higher quality.”

Jim Forshee, vice president, manufacturing for Link-Belt, added: “This new expansion incorporating state-of-the-art technology will allow us to dramatically reduce crane boom lead time while increasing capacity and improving quality. Our strategy of 'Value Added Manufacturing' is fully supported by this investment. This will allow us to combine all boom-manufacturing processes from fabrication to assembly into a synchronized pull system, which is a critical element of the Link Belt Production System.”