A new Caterpillar plant in Athens is being credited for attracting another firm to nearby Watkinsville.

Watkinsville Mayor Charles Ivie said Industrial Finishing Specialists of Sanford, N.C., will open a satellite location in the town. The metal-cleaning business plans on making the new Caterpillar plant a primary customer.

The company uses a high-heat process to clean organic materials from metal while air-blown sand strips off paint.

Ivie said he hopes Industrial Finishing Specialists will be the first of other business attracted to the area by Caterpillar's expansion.

Tags: Caterpillar, Watkinsville, industrial finishing specialists, charles ivie