Japan-based Kobelco Construction Machinery this week inaugurated a new manufacturing facility near the city of Chennai, India, the company’s ninth global facility, Indian news outlets report.

Kobelco Construction Equipment India is a joint venture between Kobelco Construction Machinery and the Itochu Group. Kobelco holds a 95-percent ownership stake.

The Indian facility is spread across 68,000 square meters in the Sri City Special Economic Zone in Tada.

Kobelco officials said the Indian market demand for excavators grew 40 percent from 7650 units in 2009 to 10,742 units in 2010. The new facility will produce about 600 machines initially and could double production by the end of 2012.