Aug 4 2010
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today announced plans to open an engineering design center in Rapid City, S.D. The new facility, known as the Black Hills Engineering Design Center, will provide additional engineering support services for Caterpillar's U.S. operations and will complement the company's existing engineering design centers in Chennai, India, and Champaign, Ill.
"The Black Hills Engineering Design Center is part of Caterpillar's Product Development and Global Technology Division's engineering services strategy to increase velocity and, ultimately, better serve our customers," said Caterpillar Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Tana Utley. "For years, Caterpillar has benefited from a long relationship with the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology."
"Caterpillar has long been one of our leading partners and recognizes our heritage in preparing leaders in engineering and science," said School of Mines President Robert A. Wharton, Ph.D. "This is a great opportunity for both of us to work together and further one another's success as we make a difference both locally and globally."
Utley added, "In addition, South Dakota and Rapid City's diverse and talented local population are an excellent fit for our highly skilled global workforce who perform engineering around the clock."
"This truly is great news for South Dakota. Caterpillar is a world-class company with a long-standing history of success," said Governor Mike Rounds. "When I talk about attracting companies that create the kinds of jobs that will keep our young people here, this is exactly the type of company I mean."
The Black Hills Engineering Design Center will initially occupy 3,100 square feet of office space within the Black Hills Business Development Center in Rapid City and, when staffed at full capacity, will employ up to 100 people. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of the third quarter of 2010; hiring is planned to begin at that time and ramp up over a five-year period.
"Caterpillar's Engineering Design Center is a great fit for Rapid City. Caterpillar will be employing students and graduates from both South Dakota School of Mines and Western Dakota Tech as engineers and draftsman. These high-skilled positions are what we are looking for because they allow our talented students to remain in our community while putting their education to great use," said Rapid City Mayor Alan Hanks.
Source: http://www.cat.com/