(NC) Truck maker (Freightliner) announces (1180) job layoffs

[UpInArms]

http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2007/01/28/business/stories_from_ap/iq_3791016.txt

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Truck manufacturer Freightliner LLC said Friday it would lay off up to 1,180 workers at its assembly plant north of Charlotte due to falling orders.

Freightliner, a unit of DaimlerChrysler AG, said the job eliminations were necessary because buyers have been hesitant to purchase trucks equipped with new and expensive technology to curb diesel exhaust emissions. New standards governing diesel emissions in the U.S. and Canada took effect Jan. 1.

The layoffs will take place April 1 at the plant in Cleveland, about an hour north of Charlotte. The plant currently has more than 4,000 workers and is the largest manufacturing employer in Rowan County. The company said the plant will scale back from three shifts to two, and the potential to rehire the laid off workers will depend in part on whether customer demand improves.

Portland, Ore.-based Freightliner, North America's leading medium- and heavy-duty truck manufacturer, said in December there would be a series of production rate adjustments at its plants during the first quarter of 2007. It said those moves could affect more than 4,000 workers.

...more...

[Uben]

1. If they are like Peterbuilt

....it is a seasonal thing. Peterbuilt usually lays off after the first of the year, then calls back in the late spring. Supply/demand

[Robb]

2. Or Paccar's just more ready

Looks like they're building a $400 million plant in Washington State. (Paccar makes Peterbilt & Kenworth)

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. More than seasonal this time...

Companies knew that the new emissions tech. would cause the cost of each truck to rise, so they bought more trucks than usual last year. Sales this year, and maybe even next are going to be a little slower.

[PassingFair]

4. NOW where are all those Michigan workers who

...are running from Michigan to North Carolina going
to go?


Florida is starting to overflow...

[SaveAmerica]

9. I guess they'll have to go into banking, all the people who

worked in textiles will have to go that route also. We know how affordable it is to go to college to get that training these days :sarcasm:

[brentspeak]

5. All while our politicians (and yep, even some Dems) get wined-and-dined by lobbyists

Proudly engaging in "free speech" by chomping on lobster tails and sipping cocktails.

[OhioChick]

6. Not to worry....

They'll just make do as "International Truck" has.

International Truck plans engine plant in India

2007-01-18 08:56

International Truck and Engine Corporation (ITEC) of the US plans to set up an engine plant in India. The plant would manufacture engines for commercial vehicles in the range of 100-250 HP (horsepower) for domestic and export markets. It is, however, not clear where would the plant be set up.

It may also become the global hub for outsourcing of these engines in markets such as Latin America, West Asia and Asia Pacific, Mr John P. Lamoureux, Vice-President, truck strategy and business operations, ITEC, said. The engine range has been selected based on the current engine range present in the domestic market as well as the specific export markets, he told Business Line. ITEC is considered the world leader in diesel engines in the 160-325 HP range, with production of over 4,00,000 engines per year.

http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/business/internationaltruckenginecorporationengineplant/internationaltruckplansengineplantindia/market/stocks/article/262243

300 Laid Off At International In Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- As of Wednesday, 300 workers at International Truck and Engine in Springfield are out of work. The layoffs that were announced last month have become official.

The company gave workers a 30-day notice of the pending layoffs.

On Wednesday, the 300 workers met at their union hall to find out what is next for them in terms of things such as health insurance. NewsCenter 7 was told that layoffs are affecting workers in most departments at the plant.

Plant leaders said the need for the layoffs goes back to supply and demand. They said there has been a big drop in demand for medium-duty commercial trucks.

That demand drop-off has to do with stricter environmental emissions standards that went into effect on Jan. 1. Officials said the new rules have driven up the cost of the trucks.

http://www.whiotv.com/news/10661518/detail.html

[nada republic-cons]

7. It's just fine. New Freightliner plant in Mexico

Last month, Freightliner announced plans to build a new 1-million-square-foot plant in northern Mexico by 2009, when it expects truck demand to jump again ahead of a new federal emissions deadline.

[newyawker99]

8. Hi nada republic-cons!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: