Council approves land sale for expansion

Plans are moving ahead for expansion at Exodus Machines.

The Superior City Council on Tuesday approved the sale of land on Connors Point to accommodate the company’s growth. The parcel would allow the company to test its material handling machines, which are being marketed by Caterpillar Inc. after forming an alliance with the Superior-based company.

Exodus, founded in 2008 on Connors Point, is planning to nearly quadruple its current manufacturing facility to accommodate stepped-up production of its wheeled material handling machines in conjunction with the company’s alliance with Caterpillar.

Under the alliance agreement, Exodus Machines is manufacturing the machines for distribution through the Caterpillar network. Early next year, the machines will begin to carry the Caterpillar name.

The arrangement is expected to create 300 jobs — Exodus employs 56 now — over the next six to eight years as production increases. Exodus must be able to show that it can manufacture 220 units per year by the end of 2013 and 385 units per year by the end of 2014 under its agreement with Caterpillar.

Caterpillar wants assurances Exodus can produce the quantity of machines needed before launching a major marketing campaign, said Kevin Boreen, chief executive officer of Exodus.

Tags: news, environment, money, business