Mining equipment manufacturer Caterpillar has unveiled plans to shut the Pulaski facility in Virginia, US.
The shutdown of the facility, which employs around 240 people, is anticipated to be complete by mid-2014.
The production of underground mining equipment, which includes scoops, coal haulers and other equipment, will be transferred to a Caterpillar facility in Houston, Pennsylvania.
The planned facility closure is the latest in a series of closures unveiled by Caterpillar in recent years.
Earlier in November 2013, the company unveiled plans to slash around 200 jobs at its Burnie plant in Tasmania.
The company is also planning to shift production of some of its equipment from Burnie to Thailand.
Caterpillar has cut 100 contractors at its Burnie site in February 2013 and another 60 casual workers were axed in September.
Caterpillar generated $65.8bn in sales and revenues in 2012, a 10% increase on 2011 figures.
In 2012, Caterpillar reduced its profit projections for 2015 from $15-$20 a share to $12-$18 a share.
The company serves the global mining community through its Caterpillar Global Mining organisation, headquartered in Oak Creek, Wisconsin.
Caterpillar offers mine-specific product and service solutions that help customers enhance safety, improve efficiency, increase productivity and reduce cost per ton.
Image: Caterpillar generated $65.8bn in sales and revenues in 2012, a 10% increase on 2011 figures. Photo: Courtesy of Gary Houston.
