Terramac opens new assembly plant for rubber

ST. LOUIS— Distributor, manufacturer and service provider CK Power has opened an assembly facility for its Terramac subsidiary, which produces rubber-tracked crawler carriers. The new plant is expected to create 75 new jobs by spring 2023.

The new jobs will include skilled manufacturing and back-office positions for Terramac, a U.S.-based brand that focuses on engineering innovations and versatile off-road equipment solutions that serve such industries as utility, general construction, environmental, renewable energy, drilling, pipeline, mining and landfill management. Terramac was acquired by CK Power in January 2021.

The new plant was established to give Terramac more control of the company's crawler carrier manufacturing, Matt Slater, Terramac vice president of business development, said in a statement. The 100,000-sq.-ft. structure is located on 8 acres of land and is being leased for Terramac.

"It was designed with greater efficiency and productivity, which allows us to quickly change over from one model to another as demand necessitates. Terramac's production has grown exponentially leading us to this milestone," Slater said. He added that current distribution is focused on North America, but the firm plans to expand into the European market.

The assembly plant will start with two production lines, each with a production capacity of 250 crawler carriers per year with room for expansion, the company said. The facility, which started operations in March, has more than 275 tons of overhead crane lift capacity, which will handle any assembly requirement with ease. The new Terramac plant is set to begin production in March. When fully operational, the St. Louis production will complement the existing Terramac production to allow Terramac to meet the growing demand for its crawler carriers.

The crawler carriers made by Terramac are best known for their low ground pressure, which allows them to traverse challenging terrain and various ground conditions. Terramac manufactures three straight frame and two rotating carrier models with multiple configuration options as well as a purpose-built line designed for utility and oversized support equipment.

The crawler carriers' chassis are versatile enough that they may be used as haul trucks or outfitted with support equipment options for a variety of industries, Slater said. Those industries include utility, general construction, environmental, renewable energy, landfill management, pipeline, mining, forestry and others.

Terramac is receiving financial incentives from the Missouri Works program, a tool that helps companies to expand and retain workers by providing access to capital through withholdings or tax credits for job creation. The company also is receiving assistance from Missouri One Start, a division of the Missouri Department of Economic Development (MDEC). Missouri One Start assists eligible businesses with their recruitment and training needs.

An MDEC spokeswoman said the state offered Terramac the opportunity for incentives in November 2021. More than $620,000 in incentives are being used.

"We are excited about revitalizing the plant facility, as well as the neighboring area," said JJ Costello, vice president of business development for the CK Power Family of Companies. "We plan to create many new jobs over the next couple years, drawing from the local work force to help support our goals for the company and the community."

Terramac has 50 employees at its headquarters in Sugar Grove, Ill., and plans to add more than 100 employees based out of the St. Louis facility over the next several months, Slater said.

CK Power has been engineering, building and distributing off-highway power solutions since 1929. Crawler carriers are sold through a dealer network with over 200 locations across North America.

Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

Please enter a valid email address.

Please enter your email address.

Please verify captcha.

Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

View the discussion thread.