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Caterpillar has announced plans to close its attachments manufacturing complex in Wamego, Kansas. The location produces excavator and wheel loaders buckets, dozer blades, and brackets and hooks for various attachments, such as shears, grapples and hammers, according to Caterpillar.

It employs about 300 people, according to local industry organizations. The plant is scheduled to be shuttered in mid-2025. Caterpillar announced the closing to employees June 6 鈥渢o better utilize capacity and ensure alignment with the company鈥檚 long-term strategy,鈥� according to a company statement.鈥溾�� The company will support employees during this transition.鈥�

The Wamego campus spans 45 acres and has 10 buildings with a combined 258,000 square feet. In 2019, the plant had more than 450 employees. Jobs include welding, CNC machining, fabrication and forming, paint and assembly. About 90% of its products are shipped to customers in North America, according to Caterpillar.

The news follows a previous announcement that the company plans to invest $90 million at its facilities in Texas to build its new C13D engine. Local economic and political leaders in Wamego expressed disappointment at losing one of the city鈥檚 largest employers.

鈥淭his news has undoubtedly caused significant concern among our community, as Caterpillar has been an integral part of our local economy and a key source of livelihood for many families,鈥� reads a joint statement from the Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation, City of Wamego, Pottawatomie County, Wamego Chamber of Commerce, and Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce.