Caterpillar Logistics Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., announced plans to open a new parts distribution center in Spokane, Wash., the company said this week. The new facility, which will replace the existing 125,000-square-foot facility, will span more than a half million square feet and is part of Caterpillar’s North American multi-year expansion and enhancement of the global Cat Parts distribution network.

When the facility becomes operational in 2012 and dependent on market demand, Caterpillar e expects the Spokane Distribution Center to employ 100 to 150 people.

“The Spokane Parts Distribution Center makes us even stronger in North America by providing capacity for growth in parts demand while further optimizing the service parts supply chain,” said Steve Larson, vice president of Caterpillar Inc. and chairman and president of Cat Logistics.

Al French, chairman of the Spokane County Board of Commissioners said the facility will provide jobs for the community.

The facility builds on network improvements achieved with the recent addition of a 1 million-square-foot parts distribution center in Clayton, Ohio. It will be Caterpillar’s fourth parts facility to utilize Service Parts Management software.