Caterpillar plans new excavator factory in China

Caterpillar Inc. plans to build a new plant in Asia to help meet the growing demand for equipment in China.

The Peoria-based equipment company on Tuesday said the new factor in Wujiang, China, will produce mini hydraulic excavators. Locally, Cat has operations in Aurora.

Construction is scheduled to start later this year, pending approval by officials in China.

The (Peoria) Journal Star says Caterpillar didn't announce how much the plant will cost or how many people it will employ.

Production at the plant is expected to begin in 2012.