Volvo Group suspends production at two US assembly plants

Volvo Trucks North America and Mack Trucks are suspending production at Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, and Dublin, Virginia, plants.


According to FreightWaves, truck makers Volvo Trucks North America (VTNA), Dublin, Virginia, and Mack Trucks, Greensboro, North Carolina, both owned by Sweden-based Volvo Group, are suspending production at U.S. assembly plants.

Idling workers because of the coronavirus and supply chain stress, VTNA and Mack marked the first heavy-truck makers to suspend production. The two manufacturers make all their North American trucks in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, and Dublin, Virginia. The two plants employ about 5,000 workers. A powertrain plant in Hagerstown, Maryland, that feeds both assembly plants will also shut down from March 23-27.

"Although we have no reason to believe we have any cases of COVID-19 at our Volvo Trucks or Volvo Group powertrain manufacturing facilities, we have decided to temporarily suspend production as part of the effort to slow the spread of the virus in our communities," Volvo Group spokeswoman Mary Beth Halprin told FreightWaves March 20.

Mack began its shutdown on March 19 at the Lower Macungie Township, Pennsylvania, plant, spokesman Christopher Heffner said.

“During this suspension, we will be exploring new ways of working and possible approaches to production that would allow for increased social distancing in the facility,” Halprin said. “The health and safety of our employees and communities will be our primary concern as we work to make the most informed decisions we can during this uncertain time.”

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