Caterpillar Moving Headquarters From Chicago To Texas

Caterpillar is the latest big company moving its headquarters from crime ridden Chicago to greener pastures in Texas.

The company has had some of their operations in Texas for many years, but now it will become their base.

It’s Illinois’ loss but Texas’ gain.

Blue states are running out of the geese that lay golden eggs.

[i]It's kind of a big deal. I remember Caterpillar being a significant employer in Illinois.
But, since Biden insists that the economy is great, Caterpillar prolly won;t be missed.[/i]

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

Scribbles · 36-40, F

Caterpillar is a global giant in construction and mining equipment. They employ people all over the world. The Ceo has been very vocally unsatisfied with Illinois for about a decade. It's been impossible to expand business there despite wanting too. It is a business loss for Illinois.

I'm not sure why you feel the need to be a dick about it. I can understand celebrating gaining Caterpillar, but... Do you kick at anything/everything that's blue?

To my knowledge, Caterpillar's headquarters was based in Deerfield which is in a very safe neighborhood. Chicago does have a gun violence problem but it's mostly in 12-15 neighborhoods that are warzones out of the seventy or eighty something neighborhoods. Most places in Chicago are as safe as any other city. Chicago has been expanding violence prevention programs in the high risk areas which has dropped gun violence by 40 -50 percent where it's been very focussed on a couple neighborhoods for example.

Btw, Caterpillar is only moving their headquarters which is only hundreds of workers to Texas. So you haven't gained much yet. Perhaps sometime in the future they'll start some factories there as well. And will likely shift workers around to other states like they have done in the past. But they aren't moving the 20000 workers in Illinois or firing them either.

Budwick · 70-79, M

@Scribbles Thanks for your response.

[quote]I'm not sure why you feel the need to be a dick about it.[/quote]
I don't see the dickness - sorry you were offended.

Moving the headquarters is considered a big deal by many. Apparently not by you. Cool.

Funtoy4u · 61-69, M

@Scribbles Caterpillar just moved to Deerfield in 5 years ago. For over 90 years they were in Peoria , Il. The move out of Illinois has nothing to do with the gun violence. It has everything to do with the strong unionization and excessive taxation in that state. For decades Caterpillar has been a pawn for the UAW. They will make Caterpillar union workers go on strike to get concessions from management so they can leverage those concessions with the big 3 auto companies. For the past couple of decades they have been moving production out of Illinois to less unionized states such as TN, GA and TX. I know first hand. I am from Peoria and have over a 9 family members working at Cat. In the past 5 years, 4 of them have had to move to other states to keep their jobs with Cat. BTW those that have moved out of Illinois say it is the best thing to happen to them.

Scribbles · 36-40, F

@Funtoy4u @Funtoy4u I know people who have moved to keep their jobs with Cat too.
I am aware it has nothing to do with violence in Chicago and everything to do with business and taxes, and unions, etc but the author mentioned Chicago violence so I responded about it. 🙄

As for when Caterpillar moved to Deerfield is irrelevant, I'm pretty sure I remember him complaining about Illinois before moving and even before they did their merge or buyout or whatever of Bucyrus and that was about ten years ago.

@Budwick I agree that it is a big deal. But I don't think it's the big deal that you personally are making it out to be. Don't count your chickens until they hatch is all I mean.

Budwick · 70-79, M

@Scribbles [quote] But I don't think it's the big deal that you personally are making it out to be. [/quote]

Caterpillar moved - that's the whole story. It's a big company moving because of a negative business climate. If that's not a concern of yours, then I guess it's no big deal.

Recently, Ohio mentioned a BIG INTEL plant being built in Ohio. Land prices are going up in the planned location - suppliers want to build offices close by. Property values headed up in anticipation of new residents. This after 30 days from announcement. But, nothing to see here, right?

Scribbles · 36-40, F

@Budwick 🙄 You're the one assuming that and speaking for me. You're the one not accepting that I agreed that it is a big deal. I stated that twice. The only thing I have a problem with is your attitude. But nothing can be done about that, so bye bye!