KEY POINTS
-
Volvo Construction Equipment is building its first U.S.-made excavators and large wheel loaders at a facility in Pennsylvania.
-
John Deere will move “next generation” excavator production to America from Japan, after finishing a $70 million factory expansion in Indiana.
-
JCB and SANY have grown operations in the U.S., alongside domestic (and global) giant Caterpillar.
2026 is shaping up to be the year when two of the biggest names in heavy equipment are making commitments to American-built excavators.
Volvo Construction Equipment delivered its first U.S.-assembled excavators out of Pennsylvania just two weeks ago, while John Deere is set to build a bigger excavator factory in North Carolina. Together, the moves point to a growing trend among equipment manufacturers toward reshoring assembly and production, one that also includes international brands like JCB and SANY.
Volvo is Making Excavators and Loaders in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Volvo announced in August 2026 that it is significantly expanding its U.S. manufacturing footprint, with more than 50% of its North American machine supply now produced at its Shippensburg, Pennsylvania plant. A year after first announcing plans to localize more assembly, the company delivered its first American-built excavators and larger wheel loaders to customers.
As recently as June 2025, the Shippensburg factory built only soil and asphalt compactors and mid-size wheel loaders. With the expansion, Volvo CE's North American production portfolio now spans 30 machine models, with the company saying eleven additional models will move production to Shippensburg.
According to Volvo, bringing this additional production stateside will shorten U.S. customer lead times by more than six weeks.
The Shippensburg facility has served as Volvo Construction Equipment’s North American headquarters since 2012. It was previously home to Ingersoll Rand’s road development division before Volvo bought the property (and the road division business) in 2007. More than 750 people currently work at the location.
John Deere Moves Excavator Production from Japan to the U.S.
Back in January 2026, John Deere made its own American manufacturing commitment. The company announced plans for two new U.S.-based facilities: a distribution center near Hebron, Indiana, and an upgraded excavator factory in Kernersville, North Carolina. Both are planned to open sometime in 2027.
The Hebron distribution center is positioned to speed up Deere's nationwide supply chain for agricultural, turf, construction, forestry, and mining operations and is expected to create around 150 new jobs.
The bigger shift for the excavator market, however, is in Kernersville, where Deere's new $70 million factory will take over production of “future-generation" excavators the company says were previously built in Japan. The North Carolina facility will employ more than 150 people and is intended to help meet equipment demand.
John Deere has an existing factory in Kernersville that makes small and mid-sized excavators. The new project will provide the space and technology needed to make the now-former Japanese models.
"Our investment in these new facilities underscores John Deere's dedication to strengthening the backbone of American industry and supporting local economies," John Deere CEO John May, said back in January.
What Other Major Manufacturers Are Making Construction Equipment in the U.S.?
There are more major equipment makers expanding manufacturing and assembly in the United States.
U.S.-born and U.S.-based, Caterpillar remains the world's top-selling construction equipment manufacturer. While the company manufactures its equipment worldwide, it is quick to tout, “Several of our U.S. facilities are single source manufacturing locations for all global sales.”
Caterpillar highlights three such locations:
- East Peoria, Illinois (large dozers)
- San Diego, California (gas turbines)
- Athens, Georgia (small dozers)
In 2025, ConstructConnect News previously reported on JCB, the UK-based manufacturer, doubling its planned San Antonio, Texas factory from 500,000 to 1 million square feet.
The $500 million project is expected to create up to roughly 1,500 jobs and begin production by the end of the year, making it JCB's second U.S. manufacturing plant alongside its existing Savannah, Georgia facility.
China-based SANY assembles select excavator models for the American market at a facility in Peachtree City, Georgia, operating there since 2011. In June 2026, the company partnered with heavy equipment YouTuber Rockhill Farm on a video tour of the plant, giving contractors a look inside U.S.-based SANY production.
More machines showing up on U.S. jobsites are now also being built on U.S. soil, and Volvo and John Deere have made sure their names are being added to this trend.
Stay Connected
Stay connected with ConstructConnect News for construction industry news and construction market analysis to stay ahead of what’s building next.
About ConstructConnect
At ConstructConnect, our software solutions provide the information construction professionals need to start every project on a solid foundation. For more than 100 years, our insights and market intelligence have empowered commercial firms, manufacturers, trade contractors, and architects to make data-driven decisions and maximize productivity.
ConstructConnect is a business unit of Roper Technologies (Nasdaq: ROP), part of the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Fortune 1000.
For more information, visit constructconnect.com
.png)
.png)
