Daimler Truck North America announced that it will permanently close its Swan Island truck manufacturing facilities in Portland, Oregon. A WARN notice stated that the location will shut down and 387 employees will lose their jobs on October 30.
The company began manufacturing trucks in Portland in 1947 as Freightliner Corporation. However, The Oregonian reported that the closure will shut down the Freightliner and Western Star production lines at the site as Daimler relocates work to factories in the Carolinas. The company will retain its North American headquarters on Swan Island, including a newly opened $40 million engineering facility.
The closure also affects three nearby locations, including a CTS, a drop lot and warranty recovery operations.
Daimler said four unions represent employees at the Portland site, including the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and the Teamsters. The company added that impacted employees will not have bumping rights. Affected bargaining unit employees will receive layoff benefits outlined in their respective collective bargaining agreements.
