SALINA, Kan. — Kubota has officially broken ground on a $30 million construction equipment test center in Salina, marking a major investment aimed at strengthening its research and development capabilities in North America.
The 57,000-square-foot facility, announced April 10, will serve as a dedicated hub for testing and validating compact construction equipment. Company leaders described the project as a long-term commitment to designing and engineering machines tailored specifically for North American jobsite conditions.
Kubota said the new center will help accelerate development cycles and improve real-world performance of its growing construction equipment lineup.
The new test center is expected to play a critical role in advancing Kubota’s compact equipment portfolio, which includes compact excavators, skid steers, compact track loaders, wheel loaders and tractor loader backhoes.
“This investment reflects Kubota’s confidence in the North American construction market and our commitment to engineering machines that are built for the realities of North American jobsites,” said Brian Arnold, general manager of Kubota’s North America Manufacturing Unit. “Bringing expanded testing and validation capabilities to the U.S. strengthens our supply chain, accelerates development, and ensures we deliver high performing compact equipment our customers can count on, supported by a strong dealer network focused on service, parts availability, and keeping customers productive on the job.”
Kubota has been steadily growing its presence in the construction equipment sector. According to industry data, the company ranked second in new financed construction equipment sales in the United States in 2025, with more than 30,000 units sold.
The new facility is designed to replicate real-world construction environments, allowing engineers to conduct controlled, repeatable testing focused on durability, performance and reliability.
Kubota first established its Construction Equipment Research and Development North America (CERDNA) operation in Salina in 2021. The new test center represents the next phase of that expansion, bringing engineering and validation processes closer to customers and jobsite conditions.
Great Plains Manufacturing will oversee the building design for the facility, which is expected to enhance collaboration between design, engineering and testing teams.
“This expansion is a clear statement of Kubota’s long-term commitment to investing in America and growing our compact construction business here,” said Todd Stucke. “Kansas has been a strong partner, and the Salina facility will play a critical role as we continue to expand our construction equipment portfolio and support customers across North America.”
The announcement follows the recent debut of Kubota’s largest compact track loader, the SVL110-3, unveiled at a major industry event earlier this year. The company’s compact machines continue to rank among top-selling models, reinforcing its position in a competitive equipment market.
Kubota’s investment in advanced testing infrastructure underscores a broader trend across the construction equipment industry, where manufacturers are prioritizing localized R&D to better meet regional performance demands and accelerate innovation.
Originally reported by Equipment Journal.
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