Caterpillar to expand its surface mining, technology operations in Tucson, Arizona
MILWAUKEE -- Caterpillar Inc. has selected Tucson as the new location for its surface mining and technology offices, according to a news release from the State of Arizona.
The release indicates the Tucson facility will create more than 600 projected new Arizona jobs over five years, with employees in executive management, engineering, product development and support positions. The state has estimated the economic impact of Caterpillar’s consolidation in southern Arizona at $600 million.
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey issued the following in a statement:
"In addition to bringing jobs and capital investment to southern Arizona, a project of this level will have a ripple effect throughout the community and state. I’d like to thank the Caterpillar team for their commitment to and confidence in Arizona."
Caterpillar reportedly has a workforce of about 300 people at its Tucson Proving Ground and Tinaja Hills Demonstration Center locations. That number is expected to grow to nearly 1,000 with the changes. Officials say Caterpillar will begin moving employees to Tucson in the summer.
A Caterpillar spokeswoman said this in a statement:
"Employees will relocate to Tucson from a variety of Caterpillar locations, including but not limited to Peoria and Decatur, Illinois, and S. Milwaukee, Wisconsin -- all locations where we have mining employees. We aren't offering a specific breakdown at this time. As for what this announcement means for the remaining operations in S. Milwaukee, the announcement will not impact the manufacturing operations in S. Milwaukee. We will continue to produce rope shovels and draglines there, including aftermarket parts for both."
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