Caterpillar expands its Decatur campus first time since 1997

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Caterpillar opened its first brick and mortar expansion of the Decatur facility since 1997.

On Wednesday, Caterpiller cut the ribbon on its new logistics facility. The 180,000 square foot building will be used to house different parts and components needed for fabrication and equipment.

"We are bringing all of our parts onto this campus," said Tina Czerwinski, Facility Manager. "This will allow us to bring all of our parts and components that much closer to where we manufacture this great equipment that we ship from here everyday."

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Cynthia Jones, who's been with Caterpillar Decatur since 2007, used the Decatur Chamber of Commerce's ceremonial scissors to cut the ribbon to the new facility. Jones said it was an exciting moment for her. Her mother worked at Caterpillar for 35 years.

"Caterpillar has always had a great reputation. It always worked for us coming up and it's provided for my family, so I followed in her footsteps here at Decatur," she shared.

Caterpillar leaders said the expansion is a major investment in the Decatur community by providing more job opportunities.

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"This is a symbol of the investment that Caterpillar is making in Decatur and our local team here is helping deliver that value to customers," said John Tuntland, Vice President of Operations, Resource Industries Operations and Products.

Caterpillar was established in Decatur in 1955.