Caterpillar Moving Mining HQ?

Is Caterpillar Inc. moving its global mining headquarters to Tucson, Ariz.?  Apparently it depends on whom you ask.  According to an article in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Cat is moving engineering and technology jobs from its South Milwaukee, Wis., operations, as well as other locations, to Tucson, Ariz.

Meanwhile, a statement from Arizona Governor Doug Ducey said that Cat has selected Tucson as “the new location for its surface mining and technology offices.”  An estimated 600 jobs will move to Tucson.

Caterpillar’s Tucson Proving Ground and Tinaja Hills Demonstration Center are in the Tucson area, and the company also has a large plant in Monterrey, Mexico, and suppliers throughout Northern Mexico.

“The ability to get closer to our customers and tightly collaborate across all aspects of the business is at the center of our strategy,” said Tom Bluth, Caterpillar’s vice president, who oversees the Surface Mining and Technology division. “Southern Arizona is a growing region known for a workforce rich in mining, technology, and engineering expertise.”

A Caterpillar spokesperson stopped short of calling Tucson the new mining HQ, telling the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.  “We are not saying that this Tucson location is the new headquarters, per se. It is our new location for our surface mining and technology offices,” Cat said.

Caterpillar is apparently not closing its South Milwaukee mining equipment fabrication plant, with some management jobs remaining to support that operation.

The new offices in Tucson will include executive management, engineering, product development and support positions.