Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd., a company that specializes in the manufacture, sale and service of construction and transport machinery, is establishing operations in Moore, South Carolina. The $41 million investment is expected to generate 131 new jobs in Spartanburg County.

Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Japan, Kobelco Construction Machinery is one of nine business domains of the Kobe Steel Group. Globally, the group, which was first established in 1905, employs close to 40,000 workers worldwide. Included among the main products and services provided by the Kobelco Construction Machinery are hydraulic excavators, mini excavators, wheel loaders and road construction equipment.

Kobelco’s Spartanburg County operations will specialize in the manufacturing of hydraulic excavators. Located off of the Moore-Duncan Highway in Moore, South Carolina, the approximately 156,000-square-foot production facility and stand-alone office building will be positioned in close proximity to both I-26 and I-85.

“We are very excited to begin the new phase of our growth in South Carolina. We look forward to becoming an integral part of the Spartanburg community, and sharing in our future success and prosperity. Many thanks to the team of Spartanburg County and the State of South Carolina, whose support throughout our site selection process has been an example of professionalism and Southern Hospitality.” said Kobelco Construction Machinery U.S.A., Inc. President/CEO Katsuhiko “Pete” Morita.

The facility will allow Kobelco to reduce the production lead time of machineries for its North American customers and improve capability for meeting market needs. The new factory will be incorporated into the company’s North American subsidiary, Kobelco Construction Machinery U.S.A. Inc., which is headquartered in Katy, Texas. Construction of the facility is expected to be completed in December 2015.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Kobelco Construction Machinery to the South Carolina family. The company’s decision to invest $41 million and create 131 new jobs in Spartanburg County is great news for our state and a testament to our tremendous workforce, positive business environment and strong manufacturing industry, said Governor Nikki Haley.

“We are thrilled Kobelco has chosen Spartanburg County for its only North American production facility and we welcome yet another global name brand to our community. Spartanburg is the home to numerous international firms and our citizens and small business owners have benefited from the opportunities these high-tech firms create. As is always the case in Spartanburg, our private and public sector allies were integral in locating Kobelco in Spartanburg. Spartanburg’s own Pacolet Milliken, AFL Global, Neff Rental, and Spartanburg Community College all aided in making this announcement possible and we thank them for their continued support of our economic development efforts. The international recruitment efforts supported by the Economic Futures Group, Upstate SC Alliance, and the SC Department of Commerce are clearly paying dividends,” David Britt, Chairman of the Economic Recruitment and Development Committee of Spartanburg County and member of the Economic Futures Group Board noted.

We are excited to welcome Kobelco Construction Machinery to the Upstate of South Carolina. Their investment is a strong testament to the thriving international business climate that exists in our region and to the dedication of the economic development team in South Carolina,” Upstate SC Alliance President and CEO John Lummus said.