Twin Disc, Inc. subsidiary Katsa has announced plans to build a 54,000-square-foot gearbox assembly facility and warehouse in Pirkkala, Finland, aimed at expanding production capacity in response to a year-over-year increase in demand.
Expected to be operational by May 2027, the new plant brings together gearbox assembly, testing and painting under one roof. The unified design will streamline operations by reducing material handling steps and maximizing production flow. In addition, a dedicated warehouse will support efficient inbound and outbound logistics for components from suppliers and from Katsa’s nearby Tampere manufacturing plant and provide on-site storage.
According to the company, the investment not only increases production capacity and meets customer needs, but also positions Katsa for future growth, expecting to double its gearbox assembly capacity by 2028, which could be accompanied by a second phase of expansion.
Katsa’s growth is driven by demand from multiple industries, including defense, industrial power generation and heavy equipment. While Katsa does not supply gearboxes directly to data centers, it provides components to major engine manufacturers who design and install backup power systems for these facilities.
The company is currently adding 40 employees at its manufacturing operations and its two existing assembly locations in Tampere and will transition 25 experienced workers to the new facility in Pirkkala. By June 2027, Katsa expects to have a total workforce of approximately 250 employees.
The site will feature a new 20-ton overhead crane — doubling the lifting capacity of Katsa's current assembly operation — and will enable the company to assemble and test larger industrial gearboxes. The facility will also include a renewable energy heating and cooling system. Ten geothermal wells, each about 1,150 feet deep, will provide approximately 98% of the building’s heating and cooling needs.
