Caterpillar might end production in Aurora

Heavy-equipment maker Caterpillar could move production out of its Aurora plant at a cost of 800 local jobs, the company announced Wednesday.

Peoria-based Caterpillar has faced four years of declining revenue and expects that to continue in 2017, spokeswoman Corrie Scott said. The lower demand has forced Caterpillar to re-evaluate manufacturing at the Aurora plant, which employs about 800 production workers.

"Should we move forward with the decision to relocate production, we will support the local leaders to mitigate the impact on our employees, their families and the community," said Denise Johnson, resource industries group president.

Caterpillar will consider moving production of large wheel-loaders and compactors to its Decatur plant and moving production of medium wheel-loaders to a facility in Little Rock, Arkansas. If manufacturing is moved out of Aurora, only an office for engineering and product support would remain open.

A final decision will come in the company's second quarter.

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