Business Digest

NATION

Caterpillar to permanently cut 2,500 laid-off workers

PEORIA, Ill. — Caterpillar Inc. said Monday about 2,500 laid-off employees will be permanently cut from the company and 550 others will be brought back to work by the end of next year.

The workers are among more than 22,000 laid off earlier this year as Caterpillar dramatically scaled back production because of weaker demand amid the global economic downturn. The Peoria, Ill.-based company has cut 16 percent of its work force, which now stands at just above 94,000.

Max & Erma’s seeks Chapter 11 protection

PITTSBURGH — Max & Erma’s Inc. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection from its creditors, listing between $1 million and $10 million in debts.

The hamburger and casual dining chain, based in Columbus, Ohio, has 79 company-owned restaurants and 27 owned by franchisees. Most are in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan, though the chain has a few locations in Kentucky and in Chicago, Atlanta and Washington, D.C.

The restaurants remain open.

Associated Press