Cummins Inc. Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Cummins Midrange Engine Plant

    COLUMBUS, Ind.--Aug. 14, 2002--Today Cummins Inc. kicked off the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Columbus Midrange Engine Plant (CMEP) in Columbus, Indiana. The four-day event, which starts today and concludes Saturday, August 17, celebrates the success of the Midrange engine plant and its accomplishments over the last decade.
    The 650 employee, 588,000 square-foot plant produces six cylinder diesel engines for a variety of bus, truck and RV manufacturers. CMEP manufactures over 100,000 engines a year and has produced more than 800,000 engines since the introduction of the B series engine at CMEP in 1992. The primary customer of CMEP is DaimlerChrysler, which uses the engines in Dodge Ram pickup trucks. The Cummins Turbo Diesel and the Dodge Ram have enjoyed tremendous success with this combination.
    "This plant has thrived and achieved great success over the last 10 years and continues to exceed our customers expectations. As a result, our relationship with DaimlerChrysler is better than ever, and we are proud of the great engine CMEP produces," said Tim Solso, Chairman and CEO of Cummins Inc., in a speech congratulating employees.
    The Turbo Diesel Register (TDR) was also on hand for the celebration. Columbus was chosen as the location of the 2002 National TDR Rally to coincide with the plant anniversary. This group shares a passion for Cummins-powered Dodge Ram pickup trucks and broadcasts their knowledge of Dodge Ram and its B5.9 turbo diesel engine through national rallies, a quarterly magazine and the TDR web site. The four-day event gives TDR people the opportunity to tour CMEP and showcase the re-engineered, 2003 Cummins Turbo Diesel and Dodge Ram Heavy-Duty pickups.
    The 10th anniversary celebration ends on Saturday with a final rally of TDR members and CMEP employees at Cummins Employees Recreational (CERAland Park) for dinner and ceremonies.
    The Midrange plant has had a dynamic history. Prior to the start of B Series engine production in 1992, it was used for production of engine components for heavy-duty diesels. It was closed in late 1988 as a cost-reduction measure. However, with increased demand for the B Series engine, Cummins expanded production to accommodate the engine's worldwide popularity. The new Midrange engine plant was the second diesel engine plant to be opened by Cummins in North America, complementing the Rocky Mount, N.C. production facility, which opened in 1983. Cummins B5.9 engines also are made in Brazil, England, Turkey, China, India and Japan.

    A global power leader, Cummins Inc., is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute, and service electrical power generation systems, engines, and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, and emissions solutions. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (USA), Cummins serves its customers through more than 500 company-owned and independent distributor locations in 131 countries and territories. With 24,900 employees worldwide, Cummins reported sales of $5.7 billion in 2001. Press releases by fax can be requested by calling News On Demand (toll free) at 888-329-2305. Cummins home page can be found at www.cummins.com.