Daimler Trucks North America to Add Nearly 1,200 Jobs in NC

Press Release

Gov. Bev Perdue today joined Daimler Trucks North America today (DTNA) in announcing plans to add a second shift at its Freightliner Truck Manufacturing Plant in Cleveland. The expansion will create more than 1,100 jobs by the end of 2012. DTNA also plans to hire 100 employees at its nearby Components and Logistics Plant in Gastonia.

"My top priority is creating jobs, and today's announcement shows that our strategy is working," said Gov. Bev Perdue. "Globally competitive companies like Daimler realize the value of North Carolina's highly skilled workforce and our customized training programs. We look forward to continuing our long-standing partnership with Daimler."

A majority of the positions in Cleveland will be filled with recalled workers who were laid off in 2009. The plant exclusively produces Class 8 on-highway truck models, including the Cascadia, Columbia and Argosy product lines. Hiring of new employees is expected to begin in February and the new production shift is slated to be at full capacity by September 2012.

Daimler Trucks North America LLC, headquartered in Portland, Ore., is a leading manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty trucks. The company currently employs more than 4,800 people at its facilities in Cleveland, Gastonia, High Point and Mount Holly.

"We applaud and appreciate the efforts of Governor Perdue and her administration to promote economic development and employment in North Carolina," said Roger Nielsen, Chief Operating Officer Daimler Trucks North America. "The skilled local workforce is a great asset to our various operations in the state and we look forward to future opportunities for expansion and growth."

Other partners that assisted with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, Rowan County, the Town of Cleveland, Gaston County and the City of Gastonia.

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