Caterpillar moving jobs from Joliet to Mexico

Chronicle Media

Peoria -- 040115 CAT closes Joliet PHOTOMore than 200 jobs are being cut at the Caterpillar Inc. plant in Joliet as the company moves two production lines to Mexico.

In a public statement released March 20, Caterpillar said it had completed a cost analysis and in order to remain competitive the “transition” of those line jobs to Mexico was necessary.  The transition out of Joliet and into Mexico is expected to begin in late 2016 and be complete by mid-2018.

The plant in Monterrey, Mexico will take over the production of gear and engine oil pumps and valves. The manufacturing of truck struts and truck hoist cylinders as well as the heat treatment of components will remain in Joliet, according to Caterpillar.

All of the Joliet jobs that are being eliminated are union workers represented by the International Association of Machinists. The union was given a 60-day notice when Caterpillar announced a possible move back in January.

With more than 700 jobs at the Joliet plant, Caterpillar was among Will County top manufacturing employers. Top Will County officials lamented the manufacturer’s decision to shift the jobs to Mexico but stated there was little they could do to change Caterpillar’s mind.  John Greuling, president and chief executive officer of the Will County Center for Economic Development was quoted in January as saying there appeared nothing the CED could offer the company as an incentive to keep the lines jobs in Joliet. Caterpillar, Inc. has not said anything about changes at its Montgomery plant. With 2,500 jobs, CAT is the largest employer in Kendall County.