Japanese-owned Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Compressor International Corporation (MCO-I) has begun operation in the U.S. at its facility in Pearland, Texas, outside Houston. The complex is also known as Pearland Works, and at present handles packaging, shipping, storage, service and maintenance of compressors and mechanical drive steam turbines.
The newly constructed facility is the first U.S.-based manufacturing and service location for the company. All other manufacturing capabilities are housed in Hiroshima, Japan. The Pearland operation is likely to bring more accessible manufacturing and service capabilities to customers, thereby saving cost and time for various industries across the nation and in the Gulf Coast.
Completion of phase one
MCO-I has so far invested more than $75 million into the Pearland Works facility which features 180,000 sq. ft. of space, and houses a variety of capabilities including packaging and assembly, vertical and horizontal rotor storage, repair and maintenance services, administrative offices, and a training center. In addition, new manufacturing equipment worth $26 million has been purchased along with a 300-ton overhead crane. This marks the completion of phase one of the two-part plan for the Houston-area site.
During the second phase, the company plans to expand its facility to offer testing and full manufacturing capabilities. Gampa Bhat, president of MCO-I said bringing a manufacturing and service facility close to the Houston area was an obvious choice after seeing the increase in demand from the expansion in shale gas and oil developments. “With the new operation, we are closer to our customers and can respond to their manufacturing and service needs more quickly than ever before. This is a direct benefit for them, because it means reduced order lead time and cost, as well as improved service and maintenance support.”
MCO-I is likely to celebrate the grand opening of its new Pearland manufacturing and service facility located at 14888 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas 77047 on Saturday, April 25, 2015. The event is scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. with a ribbon-cutting and blessing ceremony followed by a facility tour and press conference. Beginning at 12 p.m., grounds will open to the community for BBQ, crawfish, and a family fun festival featuring a variety of activities, games and entertainment.
