According to Jiji Press, Kubota Corp. said it will spend some 9 billion yen ($83 million) to establish a research and development center for lawn mowers and utility vehicles in the state of Georgia.

With the center, set to open in April 2022, the Japanese machinery maker hopes to reduce the time needed for product commercialization. Kubota has been developing some of its mowers at Kubota Mfg. of America Corp., also in Georgia.

The Osaka-based parent aims to expand annual sales at the group's mower and utility vehicle business to 150 billion yen ($1.3 billion) by 2027 from last year's 96.8 billion yen ($912 million).