Cummins Inc. is offering to temporarily recall workers laid off from one of its manufacturing plants in order to meet demand for diesel engines for the new Dodge Ram HD pickup.

Cummins plans to temporarily add a second shift to its Columbia, IN mid-range engine plant to fill orders as Dodge seeks to build inventory for the trucks, which are available with a Cummins 6.7 liter diesel.

The temporary second shift is expected to operate through the end of the year, the company said. Cummins intends to start the additional shift on Oct. 19.

The offer is being extended to approximately 270 workers who were either laid off or transferred to other Cummins facilities over the past year, the company said in a release.

Cummins began production of engines for the 2010 Ram in mid-September with approximately 340 production employees working on a single shift.

Once the second shift is terminated, Cummins will employ approximately 600 hourly workers at the plant.

By Light & Medium Truck