Kubota Tractor Corp. and Kubota Credit Corp. have relocated their headquarters from southern California to Grapevine, Texas. Both companies are U.S. subsidiaries and have been planning for increased efficiencies after recent expansions and an aggressive growth strategy. The move, which will affect about 180 employees, is expected to occur within the next 18 months, the company said.
Kubota said the move will put Kubota’s leadership and professional staff closer to the company’s major markets and its manufacturing, assembly and distribution facilities in Georgia and Kansas. By centrally locating more of its operations, Kubota will be able to respond more quickly to changes in markets and the industry, and streamline its operations for both dealer and customer benefit.
“This restructuring and relocation to Texas aligns with our strategic business objectives to strengthen Kubota’s brand in the U.S. marketplace, enter new industry segments, and to position our company for long term, sustainable growth in North America,” said Masato Yoshikawa, president and CEO of KTC. “This is the most significant change we have undertaken during our long and successful history in the U.S., and there was much thought, deliberation and consideration that went into our decision. California has been good to us, but it makes better business sense for us to be centrally located, and we look forward to achieving added operational efficiencies with this move.”
The new headquarters will be environmentally friendly building large enough to initially accommodate 400 employees with room to expand and will be designed to maximize work efficiencies and conservative resources in alignment with Kubota’s global brand statement: “For Earth, For Life.”
Kubota said it will conduct its move in stages to avoid disruption to daily operations. Kubota Credit Corp. will move from the current Torrance, Calif., and Fort Worth, Texas, offices to the new facility.
Kubota said it has offered all affected employees the option to relocate to Grapevine and will offer relocation assistance to those affected employees in California and Georgia who elect to move to Texas. Those choosing not to relocated will be offered a severance incentive package to stay during the transition and to assist them with their next employment opportunity.
Construction on the Texas facility will begin this year and is scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2017.
