Caterpillar to shift manufacturing from Japan

Caterpillar took complete control (bought out) their JV with MHI a few years back so the Sagami plant has been Caterpillar Japan since then.

I am glad for people of Peoria, Illinois. This is one of economically hard hit cities in US.

My brother-in-law works at the Sagami plant. Hope that his job is safe.

And Gavin is 100% correct about the buy out of MHI.

@PT24881: I disagree. Most people in the U.S. are employed by small businesses, and these are inherently local. While it's true that there are many jobs that require the kind of international focus you're talking about, they don't constitute the majority.

Clearly, Caterpillar isn't making this move purely to bring production closer to its market. They're taking advantage of less expensive American labor.

"The old plant in Sagami will “continue to serve a key strategic role."

What I read is that this plant will produce high tech components.

I'm surprised the article doesn't give any mention to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which has been producing Caterpillar under license at Sagami for about 50 years.

Interesting, Virtuoso - so does this mean the Mitsubishi output will be transferred? At any rate, combine this with Toyota's announcement that they'll start exporting from North America to Korea and you'll see how the weak dollar is bringing manufacturing jobs back to the US.

That will be good for USA employment problems. Now it's time for Japanese Capitalists to bring back Japanese companies and manufacturer back to Japan. Your presidents ans CEO' s are too old now to spend the riches they made from their bizness located outside of Japan. And this is one way to boost Japan economy and unemployment.

bajhista65.

How many people will they employ and in how many locations. And how will those figures affect the national ones?

Doing a bit of japan hating there and explain how those figs will reduce US unemployment figs. A drop on a hot stone = what?

@John Becker "I disagree. Most people in the U.S. are employed by small businesses, and these are inherently local. While it's true that there are many jobs that require the kind of international focus you're talking about, they don't constitute the majority."

Well noted your disagreement & partially accepted it. The category of jobs I referred to are indeed related to multinational companies as per the subject matter ' Caterpillar' and the like..

Meantime, let me rephrase the descriptions as " demanding 'tiger' Parents, prepare the 'great' future of your kids -- open mindedness, language capabilities, specialized skills applicable in various continents..are needed to be employable in the world job market "

Good bring jobs home.

Japan make some really good Tonka trucks that do the same job as Cat.

Caterpillar has made it quite clear in the statement that the prime objective of the (partial) transfer is for better serving the markets. Hence, the proximity to market in tapping its potential seems to be of utmost importance than job creation -- nationalistic sentiment on job protection at 'home' is somewhat understandable amid the deteriorating environment, albeit 'home' job markets are to be redefined within an interdependent & globalized market. Job creation issue is work to be resolved by politicians -- this is what they are for but definitely not the concern of Cat ?

Parents, prepare the future of your kids -- open mindedness, language capabilities, specialized skills applicable in various continents..are needed to be employable in the world job market !