Caterpillar expansion in Clayton is the talk of the town

Caterpillar Expands NC Plant, To Add 325 Jobs

Caterpillar expands Clayton, NC plant by adding jobs and investing $33-million over the next five years.

By: Steve Sbraccia | NBC-17
Published: February 01, 2012
Updated: February 02, 2012 - 10:50 PM

CLAYTON, N.C. --

Good economic news for the Town of Clayton as one of the town's biggest employers is about to expand and add hundreds of new jobs.

It's a welcome turnaround from the situation a few years back when layoffs and furloughs at Caterpillar’s Clayton plant were the norm.

"With jobs such as Caterpillar and other industries like that, I think it will give the economy a big boost that's greatly needed," Clayton resident Jamie Price said.

From Glen's Beauty Salon & Barber Shop to Mulberry Italian Restaurant, the Caterpillar expansion is the talk of Clayton's Main Street.

"Some people are starting to hear about it and get excited," said Mullbury co-owner Bernadette Gubitosi.

It wasn't long ago when the jobs were leaving Caterpillar as the company laid off folks because demand for the products made at the Clayton facility had slackened; and those cuts hurt the local economy.

"We were open for lunch a few years ago and used to have the guys come in from Caterpillar; at that time when they started laying off, we heard their concerns," Gubitosi said.

As one of the largest employers in town, the ripple effect of the job cuts was felt all along Main Street; from the shops to the housing market.

Now, with a $33-million dollar investment from a five-year expansion program, the town is hoping for an economic rebound from the 200 new jobs being created.

"When you add those kinds of families, that helps retail. That helps
housing," said Jim Godfrey, the executive director of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce. "Housing is one of the biggest factors in driving the economy locally."

Over at Sam's, one of the barbers there is a welder by trade and cuts hair to supplement his income.

With Caterpillar about to go into hiring mode, Kevin Peppers is thinking of hanging up his clippers.

"I think I would, if the pay's good," Peppers said.

The company says many of the new jobs would pay more than $41,000 a year.

After the expansion is complete, the Clayton facility will be the world source for several models of small wheel loaders produced by Caterpillar.

In addition, engineering and design work for BCP products will take place at a new engineering and test facility near Caterpillar's Clayton manufacturing facility.