Caterpillar will stay in York County. The heavy equipment manufacturer said late Monday afternoon that it will buy and modernize its York Distribution Center. The company had been considering moving its operations out of York County. Caterpillar currently leases the 1.1 million square foot facility along the 600 block of Memory Lane in Springettsbury Township. Nearly 200 people are employed at the facility.
The announcement comes on the 60th anniversary of Caterpillar’s presence in York. The company’s parts distribution center opened on Memory Lane in 1953. It was one of the largest and most modern distribution centers in the United States.
“We are excited the decision was made to invest in the existing facility,” said Facility Manager Jim Paprocki. “We have a very talented and committed group of employees here, and are anxious to get started on the work ahead”.
Governor Tom Corbett’s also welcomed Caterpillar’s decision saying it marks an important step in the next chapter of Caterpillar’s presence in the region.
The Illinois based industrial giant closed its larger manufacturing operation in 1998 cutting more than 1,000 jobs locally. Most of those employees were members of the United Auto Workers, which had been engaged in protracted contact negotiations that included a 17 month long strike. The plant site was sold in 2002 for $10 million and is now the York Business Center.
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