The Perkins 400 series engines have officially started production at a newly completed factory in Wuxi, China, marking the successful implementation of the company's first phase development plan announced at the Beijing International Construction Machinery Exhibition last year. The production facility covering an area of 200000 square meters reflects Perkins Engine Co., Ltd.'s investment plan spanning many years, committed to manufacturing engines that meet the US Level 2/3 and EU Stage | |/| | emission regulations, and even stricter standards for Chinese and emerging market customers, ultimately supplying zero emission power systems.
The initial production capacity of the factory is 20000 400 series engines, and it will expand to an annual production of 30000 units by the end of 2009.
The 400 series includes multiple models of 2-cylinder, 3-cylinder, and 4-cylinder water-cooled direct injection engines, available in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged configurations for customers to choose from, with output power ranging from 8.2 kW (11 bhp) to 49.2 kW (66.5 bhp).
The diverse uses of this series of engines make it an ideal power device widely used, suitable for agriculture, construction engineering, material handling, power generation, and comprehensive industrial equipment.
Li Ruijie, General Manager of Wuxi Perkins Shibaura Engine Co., Ltd., said, "Producing the 400 series in China allows us to more conveniently supply to original equipment manufacturers with production bases in China and the Asia Pacific region. The production line will be managed by Perkins Shibaura Engine Co., Ltd., a joint venture between Perkins and Japanese ISM. The engines produced here will also be supplied to customers in other regions who wish to expand their business by establishing production bases in China."
At the same time, Perkins will invest more resources and fully expand its service and support network within China, striving to fully implement its production strategy in China, so that Perkins' Chinese customers can also receive the best service enjoyed by other customers around the world.
"Our production of engines in China will also bring other benefits to Chinese customers, including exempting many complex customs clearance procedures for imported products, saving logistics processing costs, and shortening transportation time. Users do not need to cross oceans and can also own international brand products," Li Ruijie added.
The Wuxi factory will soon begin producing medium-sized engines, such as the Perkins 1100 series. This series includes multiple models of 3.3, 4.4, and 6.6-liter mechanically and electronically controlled diesel engines, with output power ranging from 36.9 kW (49.5 bhp) to 205 kW (275 bhp).
Background information
Introduction to Wuxi Perkins Engine Industrial Park (Caterpillar China Engine Park): On August 28, 2007, Caterpillar announced that it would produce advanced small and medium-sized diesel engines in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China. At present, Caterpillar has signed an investment intention letter with Wuxi National High tech Industrial Development Park. The letter of intent indicates that the company will soon make long-term investments in the development and manufacturing of Perkins and Caterpillar branded engines in Wuxi. The first batch of engines to be put into production in Wuxi includes the Perkins 400 series -3 cylinder and 4 cylinder diesel engines. After the engine factory in Wuxi is completed and fully put into operation, its engine production can reach over 100000 units per year.
The planned registered capital of Wuxi Perkins Engine Industrial Park is approximately 90 million US dollars, mainly engaged in the production of diesel engines and components. The products are widely used in agricultural machinery, construction machinery, and generator sets. The industrial park is located in the B6 plot of Wuxi High tech Industrial Development Zone, covering an area of 200000 square meters. The first phase of "Wuxi Perkins Engine Co., Ltd." was jointly established by Caterpillar (China) Investment Co., Ltd. and Japan's IHI (one of the Fortune 500 companies) Zhipu Machinery Co., Ltd., with a registered capital of 13 million US dollars and a total investment of 29 million US dollars. The building area of the factory will reach 11000 square meters and construction will begin on January 31, 2008.