Great Plains provides tour to K-State officials, announces expansion

<b>Great Plains Manufacturing's Chris Montgomery talks with K-State President Richard H. Linton, far right, during a tour of the company's south Salina construction equipment facility on Wednesday. </b>Photos courtesy Great Plains Manufacturing — **Great Plains Manufacturing's Chris Montgomery talks with K-State President Richard H. Linton, far right, during a tour of the company's south Salina construction equipment facility on Wednesday.** Photos courtesy Great Plains Manufacturing

By SALINA POST

Wednesday was a big day for Salina's Great Plains Manufacturing.

Not only did Great Plains host Kansas State University President Richard H. Linton and Kansas State University Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus CEO and Dean Alysia Starkey at its new construction equipment (CE) facility in south Salina, but it also announced that it recently received approval for the second phase of the Salina CE facility expansion.

"The visit was part of a growing collaboration between Great Plains Manufacturing and Kansas State University to expand corporate-student partnerships through networking, research, and employment opportunities," Great Plains noted in a news release.

David Disberger, Great Plains Manufacturing executive vice president and K-State Salina Dean’s Advisory Council member, said, “With the expansion of our CE facility and the growth surrounding manufacturing, we’re working to develop a longterm vision and strengthen ties with our local universities. This new facility opens up more opportunities for students and their future career paths, and we’re excited to explore opportunities for collaboration.”

<b>K-State officials met with Great Plains representatives for a tour of the company's new south Salina facility. From left are Michael J. Pritchard, K-State Salina assistant professor and graduate faculty – Department of Integrated Studies; Alysia Starkey, K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus CEO and dean; David Disberger (back, black suit), Great Plains executive vice president and K-State Salina Dean’s Advisory Council member; K-State President Richard Linton; Linda Salem, Great Plains president and CEO; Jamie Hall, Great Plains director of facilities; Chris Montgomery, manager of CE operations; David Rosowsky, K-State vice president for research; and Troy Harding, K-State Salina Department of Integrated Studies head.</b> — K-State officials met with Great Plains representatives for a tour of the company's new south Salina facility. From left are Michael J. Pritchard, K-State Salina assistant professor and graduate faculty – Department of Integrated Studies; Alysia Starkey, K-State Salina Aerospace and Technology Campus CEO and dean; David Disberger (back, black suit), Great Plains executive vice president and K-State Salina Dean’s Advisory Council member; K-State President Richard Linton; Linda Salem, Great Plains president and CEO; Jamie Hall, Great Plains director of facilities; Chris Montgomery, manager of CE operations; David Rosowsky, K-State vice president for research; and Troy Harding, K-State Salina Department of Integrated Studies head.

Moving forward with the CE facility

Great Plains noted that Step I of the CE project is "well underway, operating on time, and under budget." So far, more than 115 employees have been hired, and the company has plans to hire more than 30 additional positions before the end of 2022.

Mass production of the Kubota SVL65 compact track loaders is scheduled to begin in September, according to information from Great Plains.

The company announced Wednesday that Step II of its CE facility expansion will be "a $124 million investment that will include the installation of an automotive-grade eco-paint system with two paint lines, one for powder and the other for liquid applications. Expanded welding, assembly, and fabrication areas, and the construction of a building addition will increase production capacity and bring more jobs to the Salina community."

The company expects Step II to be implemented and running by mid-2024 and to add approximately 200 additional jobs to the area.

“Step II is next in a three-phase strategic plan to be completed in the coming years, adding production capacity and new jobs to our Salina community. This expansion continues to show the confidence that Kubota and Great Plains have in our ability to manufacture high-quality power units for the North America Construction Equipment market,” Chris Montgomery, Great Plains manager of CE operations, said.