Caterpilllar announces the Cat© 3500C Diesel Electric Propulsion (DEP) generator sets have entered full production at the Piracicaba, Sao Paulo manufacturing facility, delivering on a commitment to offer superior Cat power solutions products to the burgeoning Brazilian offshore market. Within the past year, the company has achieved significant milestones in Brazil, most recently announcing the RBNA Classification Society Certification of the 3500C generator sets to meet local content regulations.
“ The demand for Cat power solutions in Brazil has paralleled the exponential growth in the Brazilian offshore market ,” noted Gregg Macdonald, Brazil 3500 Program Manager . “ Integrating our power systems manufacturing capabilities in Brazil has been extremely successful and we’re excited to fully support the Brazilian market with Cat solutions and services. ”
Constructed in 1973, the 214,000 square-meter Piracicaba facility is Caterpillar’s second facility in Brazil and currently employs over 5,800 people. The facility was recently expanded to include assembly lines devoted solely to the production of generator sets. Future expansion plans are also in place to locally produce additional Cat marine and oil and gas products in Brazil, including medium speed marine offerings. The first shipment of four Cat 3512 DEP generator sets were delivered in December to Navship, a shipbuilder located in Navegantes, Brazil and operated by Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO).
Caterpillar announced its plans to begin assembling its legendary 3500 diesel generator sets and expand operations in Brazil in 2011. All 3500C generator sets delivered from this facility will have a local content of around 60% depending on scope of supply. The 3500C series packages for diesel electric propulsion and marine auxiliary power have a track record of performance. They are commonly used in offshore and inland waterways. In addition to DEP generator sets, Caterpillar’s investment in the Piracicaba facility enables the world’s leading power solutions provider to offer a wide range of main power, auxiliary, and emergency generator sets to meet the Brazilian national content needs of the fast growing Brazilian Oil & Gas industry.
All products sold in Brazil are backed by Caterpillar’s renowned customer support and the Cat dealer network, which offers round-the-clock service and support at more than 2,200 dealer locations in 200 countries.
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Dredging Today Staff, March 14, 2012;