PEORIA, Ill. (WACH / AP) -- Equipment maker Caterpillar Inc. plans to spend $20 million to expand one of its South Carolina manufacturing plants to handle growing demand.

Caterpillar said Wednesday that the expansion in Sumter, S.C., will add more than 80 jobs at the plant over the next two years.

The project will nearly triple the size of the Sumter plant. It will make large hydraulic cylinders that Caterpillar currently makes at its Joliet, Ill., plant.

“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.”

Caterpillar is shifting that work away from Joliet to allow that plant to expand production of other products to help meet growing demand for the company's construction and mining equipment.

“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. 

“Caterpillar has been a part of South Carolina’s business community for years, and today’s announcement strengthens their commitment to our state. We are thrilled that Caterpillar is expanding in South Carolina, furthering our state’s manufacturing and exports momentum,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

Caterpillar, based in Peoria, Ill., says it expects to begin hiring more workers in Sumter near the end of the year.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)