OREANDA-NEWS. Toshiba Corporation announced that Toshiba International Corporation, a US-based Toshiba Group company, has completed construction of an expansion to its inverter plant in Houston, Texas. In order to meet growing demand from the oil and gas industry, Toshiba International Corporation is making a strategic capital investment of US\\$20 million in doubling its production capacity for medium voltage industrial inverters used in key market including oil and gas, mining and on railway cars. The expansion will be completed by 2015 and create approximately 100 jobs in the Houston area.

Higher production of shale gas in North America, achieved through recent advances in extraction technology, is expected to have a broad impact on the U.S. economy, including increased investment in the extraction and refining sector; new thermal power plant construction and conversion of existing coal-fired plants to burn natural gas; and lower energy costs that will contribute to the resurgence in domestic manufacturing and increased employment. In readiness for this anticipated growth, Toshiba International Corporation, which undertakes manufacturing, sales and marketing and maintenance of industrial motors and inverters, decided to expand its inverter plant.

Mr. Masaaki Osumi, Toshiba's Corporate Representative for Americas and Chairman & CEO of Toshiba America Inc. noted: "Going forward, Toshiba will continuously seek out new areas and industries for business growth; we are especially pleased to expand our manufacturing capabilities and to create employment opportunities in the US."