Athens' Caterpillar plant getting ready for March opening

Construction of the new $200 million Caterpillar Inc. facility in Athens is on track to meet its March 2013 deadline for occupancy, and the company will begin hiring the plant’s first 300 employees early next year. Todd Henry, the plant manager, hosted a press conference and tour Aug. 22 in order to update the community about progress at the 248-acre site. The shell of the first of two large buildings is up, and construction workers now are focusing on its cavernous interior. The walls of the other building were still being erected.
Manufacturing is to begin late next year and ramp up to full production over the following five years. The plant will become the “worldwide source” for Caterpillar’s small track-type tractors. It also will produce mini hydraulic excavators, with about 40 percent of those to be exported overseas.
For the full story, see the Aug. 29 issue of the Barrow Journal.