The world’s largest manufacturer of mining and construction equipment informed employees at the plant last Thursday that there would be lay-offs but did not specify a number, while union officials speculated it could be as many as 300 people.

The company employs 800 people at the heavy equipment production line it acquired from Bucyrus and blames the cuts on slow sales.

“We continue to take actions to bring our production in line with demand,” Caterpillar spokesman Rusty Dann said in a statement released to The Business Journal.

“This includes some short-term temporary lay-offs and other actions.

“These actions vary from location to location and impact both production and support and management employees.

“We know this is difficult for our employees but we are taking steps to better align with the current economic circumstances while at the same time remain focused on positioning the company for long-term success.”

Talks between Caterpillar and the United Steelworkers Union will begin this week and are expected to discuss the cuts as well as a contract between the two parties which is due to expire at the end of April.

These will be the first labor contract negotiations at the plant since Caterpillar bought Bucyrus in 2011.