Daimler Adding Shift at N.C. Freightliner Plant; Will Hire 1,100 Workers This Year
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Daimler Trucks North America officials said they will be adding a second shift to the company’s heavy-duty truck plant in Cleveland, N.C., adding 1,100 jobs over the course of this year.
The expansion, which is designed to meet increasing orders for DTNA’s Freightliner brand, the largest in North America, will expand employment at the plant by 72%.
Company officials said at a press briefing here this week that the company will add another 100 jobs at its nearby components plant in Gastonia, N.C.
Daimler said in June it was boosting Freightliner production at plants in North Carolina and Oregon.
The Freightliner plant in Cleveland employed about 3,500 workers before the recession led to layoffs that cut employment to about 650, the Associated Press reported.
The Cleveland plant currently employs approximately 1,400 shop employees and 72 engineers, managers and support staff, Daimler said.
It is the largest U.S. Freightliner plant and produces Class 8 on-highway trucks including the Cascadia, Columbia and Argosy lines.
Daimler announced the expansion Thursday morning, where a ceremony at the plant was scheduled to feature DTNA Chief Operating Officer Roger Nielsen and North Carolina Gov. Bev Purdue.
