Lexington’s LBX Company, maker of Link-Belt Excavators and forestry equipment, is building a $10 million testing and training center. A groundbreaking took place Thursday at the 25 acre site off Citation Boulevard.
LBX President Eric Sauvage says most of the forestry equipment serves markets in the Western United States and Canada. But, he says LBX will also turn its attention to forests in Kentucky and other eastern parts of the country. “We actually are planning to study the eastern, which is smaller trees. You don’t have to wait that long to harvest them. So, it’s a different type of machine that is required,” said Sauvage.
The new facility, expected to open next spring, will help train dealers and allow for product demonstration and testing. The firm has been in Lexington since 1975 when it began operations as Link-Belt.?
LBX is a subsidiary of Sumitomo Construction Machinery, based in Japan. Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Terry Gill says the expansion is an example of a strong connection with international business. “Kentucky is only bested by one state in the U.S. in terms of residents that work for Japanese companies. So, we have this incredible tie back to Japan,” noted Gill.
