Caterpillar boosts China R&D base

Caterpillar has launched further investment in its Chinese research and development centre. Based in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China, Caterpillar’s R&D centre first opened in December 2009 and employed over 500 engineers as T&TI went to press.

Caterpillar vice president and chief technology officer, Tana Utley, said, “China is the largest construction equipment market in the world, and Caterpillar continues to invest in China to help our Chinese customers succeed and to position Caterpillar for long-term leadership in China. The Wuxi R&D center is enabling Caterpillar's product development success in China and other growth markets.”

The facility is located close to Caterpillar’s component factory, which began production in Wuxi in 2006, as well as its engine and wheel loader and motor grader factories. A Caterpillar spokesman also highlighted that the company’s flagship excavator manufacturing facility was located in nearby Xuzhou, also in Jiangsu Province.