Caterpillar May Close Aurora Plant

The heavy equipment manufacturer is considering shifting production jobs in Aurora to other U.S. locations, according to the Journal Star.

"Faced with lower demand, we continue to evaluate our global manufacturing capacity," Denise Johnson, Resource Industries group president, stated in a press release obtained by the Journal Star. The company is considering moving the production line for large wheel loaders and compactors to Decatur and the line for medium wheel loaders to North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Johnson also said Caterpillar would work with local leaders to find new jobs for laid off employees. Caterpillar employs about 2,000 people at the Aurora plant. The company would keep an office and product support division in Aurora.

Representatives from United Autoworkers Local 145, the union which represents the Aurora plant workers, are in Peoria for contract negotiations and were not available for comment.

Patch has also contacted Caterpillar and the City of Aurora. Additional information will be published once it becomes available.

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