“As we go through these final stages of determining a location for this new state- of-
the-art manufacturing complex, there are several important criteria,” Bell added in the written statement. “It will need to be a location that meets our requirements of optimizing product availability, minimizing logistics costs to our domestic and export customers, and that better positions Caterpillar to meet its overall business goals.”

The company says it hopes to make a final decision on the new facility’s location by the end of this year with construction to begin in the first half of 2012.