Caterpillar opens huge new distribution center

CLAYTON --Caterpillar has opened its huge new parts distribution center in Clayton.  About 210 employees man the facility right now, but the company says when things get up to speed there could be over 500 people working there and maybe as many as 600.  The facility covers 1.6 million square feet and will be providing services to its parent company, Caterpillar Inc. and more than 50 other leading corporations around the world.  State and local officials were on hand Monday for the grand opening.  A local spokesman says about 90 percent of the employees working at the distribution center now are new local hires.