Caterpillar Plans Late-Year Shutdown in Decatur

Days after saying it is worried about the slow pace of the global economy Caterpillar Inc. says it will shut down parts of its operations in Decatur for a week in November and all of December as demand for some products drops.

The Peoria-based construction- and mining-equipment company on Monday called the layoffs temporary. Caterpillar spokesman Jim Dugan said that not all of the company's employees in the city would be affected but wouldn't say how many would be.

Caterpillar manufactures large trucks in Decatur but the current number of employees wasn't immediately available.

Late last month Caterpillar expressed concerns about the slow pace of global economic growth for the next few years. The company lowered its expectations for its profits in 2015.