[factoryrat]

With no thanks to levin, expect caterpillar to close up shop in the US in the near future. The industrial decline in the US, and loss of heavy manufacturing here in the US is the last nail in the coffin for a company like caterpillar. The US is in its post industrial decline, being replaced by the downward spiral service and financial industries. When you get to the point where your country only trades haircuts and hamburgers for worthless paper, you’re basically screwed. Enjoy the ride down.

[railroader]

With no thanks to levin, expect caterpillar to close up shop in the US in the near future. The industrial decline in the US, and loss of heavy manufacturing here in the US is the last nail in the coffin for a company like caterpillar. The US is in its post industrial decline, being replaced by the downward spiral service and financial industries.

Um...not exactly. Caterpillar has moved some machinery production from Japan back to the U.S. A new plant in Victoria, Texas (opened in 2012) assembles hydraulic excavators (consolidated from Japan and Aurora, Ill.) and in 2013, the company began producing mini-hydraulic excavators and small track-type tractors, previously made in Japan, at a new plant in Athens, Georgia. All of this has created thousands of new jobs.

Despite Illinois' financial problems, Caterpillar has since 2008 poured more than $1 billion into modernization and increased capacity at Aurora, Decatur, East Peoria and Joliet. Also, it has been reported that U.S. plants will benefit from a production cutback in high-cost Belgium.