标题: In World of Big Stuff, the US Still Rules [打印本页] 作者: choi 时间: 12-6-2012 17:01 标题: In World of Big Stuff, the US Still Rules James R Hagerty, In World of Big Stuff, the US Still Rules. Wall Street Journal, Dec 4, 2012. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB ... 33231588608990.html
Quote:
"About 80 miles south, in Decatur, Ill., rival Caterpillar Inc. CAT -0.12% makes its large mining trucks, most of which are exported. Caterpillar, No 1 in this market, and No 2 Komatsu account for roughly 85% of global sales of these trucks, roughly the size of two-story houses.
"Komatsu makes smaller mining trucks in Japan, but its largest trucks, able to carry as much as 360 tons of ore, come from Peoria.
"The trucks typically sell for $2.5 million to $6 million each, executives say.
"Most equipment [at Komatsu's plant in Peoria, IL] isn't cutting-edge: There are about 575 factory workers and no robots. Komatsu tried welding robots years ago, but "we couldn't get the quality where we wanted it," said Mr. Schrader. He said the company continues to look at automation possibilities.
Note:
(a) Peoria, Illinois http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peoria,_Illinois
(the largest city on the Illinois River and the county seat of Peoria County; amed after the Peoria tribe)
(b)
(i) For Robert LeTourneau, see R G LeTourneau http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R.G._LeTourneau
(Robert Gilmour LeTourneau; 1888-1969; a prolific inventor of earthmoving machinery; his business in 1929 incorporated in California as RG LeTourneau, Inc)
(ii) The French surname }Létourneau [lower case for "t"]: from Old French estournel ‘starling’ [a kind of bird], with the definite article l’, hence a nickname for a chattering, gregarious person or a metonymic occupational name for a birdcatcher."
translation: Established in 1917 at the present-day 小松市 as Komatsu Iron Works 小松鉄工所, when Takeuchi Mining Industry 竹内鉱業--founded by 竹内 明太郎, elder brother of 吉田茂 (future premier)--needed machine tools for its own use.
(ii) Komatsu, Ishikawa 石川県 小松市 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komatsu,_Ishikawa
Caterpillar, Inc is based in Peoria, IL but has production facility in Decatur, IL and many other places throughout the world.
(f) Deere & Company (founded in 1837 by John Deere; based in Moline, Illinois)