Caterpillar Inc., manufacturer of the yellow and black iconic construction equipment, plans to expand its hydraulic facility in Sumter's Black River Airport Industrial Park. 

The company says the $20 million investment is expected to create more than 80 new jobs over two years, once the expansion is completed.

"We are pleased to be increasing operations at our Sumter facility," said Brian Mezei, Sumter facility manager for Caterpillar. "We have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with the Sumter community and appreciate the continued support of the state and our local Sumter County partners."

The company says the expansion will nearly triple the size of the facility, from 100,000 square feet to 275,000 square feet.

The facility currently produces small hydraulic cylinders used in a variety of Cat products. The additional capacity will bring the production of large hydraulic cylinders from the company's Joliet, Illinois, facility to Sumter.

Once the expansion is completed, the Sumter facility will be the primary source for small and large hydraulic cylinders for North and South America. The expansion in Sumter will allow the Joliet facility to focus on increasing production for other components currently produced in Joliet.

"It's always great to see one of our existing businesses decide to grow its presence in South Carolina. Caterpillar is a world class company, and we celebrate their decision to further invest in our state and create more than 80 new jobs in Sumter County," said Gov. Nikki Haley. Last year, South Carolina recruited more than $4.7 billion in investment and more than 13,000 new jobs in the manufacturing sector.

Work on the expansion will begin immediately and is scheduled to be completed by the fourth quarter in 2012. Hiring is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2012.

Positions will be posted on the company's recruiting website as they become available.

According to a news release, the Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved a rural infrastructure grant worth $200,000 for the county to help with site preparation.

Job development credits will also be available when hiring targets are met.

ReadySC will provide training for potential workers.