September 15, 2016
CIProud.com (link to article)
We’re used to seeing Caterpillar in construction zones, but in Pontiac, we are seeing construction zones in Caterpillar.
“By restructuring and making the space more efficient and by having a large facility, a million square feet, we could leverage a lot of existing resources here,” the facility’s product manager Susan Toher said.
The CAT facility in Pontiac is going through a $12 million upgrade to make room for the production and people they are getting from plants in Thomasville, Georgia and Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Shannon Ziegler was working in Thomasville when he learned the company was consolidating.
“It all sunk in, you know, yeah, we’re going to be losing our jobs, but we’re going to make the best and we’re going to do the right thing and we’re going to keep our integrity high,” the third shift group manager said.
He is part of the select few who were able to move back to Pontiac. It’s the same facility where he originally got his start with the company.
“How could you not want to come back to a facility and a community like this,” Ziegler said.
“We have had a few folks that transitioned with the business. Many of the jobs, most of them were hires from the local area,” human resources manager Kevin Kramer said.
Robert Armour is one of those locals.
“I know a couple people who have worked here, so I decided I’d give it a shot,” he said.
He’s been with the company for just two weeks. And he’s not alone.
The Pontiac facility has hired 80 new employees with plans to hire at least 80 more much to the delight of those in the area.
“To see everything grow into Pontiac, it’s going to be fantastic,” Ziegler said.
Aside from the open space, the company chose Pontiac because Livingston County was able to offer them incentives to stay put.
The transition should all be complete by the end of this year.