Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) plans to sharply increase production and employment levels at its Mt. Holly, NC, truck manufacturing plant over the next three months. According to the company, the plant will add a third shift to its operations and plans to fill the additional 580 manufacturing and 25 related supervision, engineering and administrative positions by mid-July.The Mt. Holly plant manufactures Freightliner M2 Business Class medium-duty diesel and natural gas-powered trucks, as well as Freightliner's extensive line of 108SD and 114SD trucks built for the severe-duty vocational truck markets.More than 600 new employees will be added to the company's payroll in Mt. Holly to accommodate rising customer demand for the company's Freightliner Business Class M2 line of medium and severe duty trucks, Daimler said. These positions will be in addition to the more than 2,300 positions filled in the company's truck and parts facilities during 2014, according to the company."Our vehicle manufacturing network is highly scalable and together with our component suppliers, we are fully prepared to handle current and projected new truck order levels," said Roger Nielsen, chief operating officer. "The untapped capacity at the Mt. Holly plant provides us the capacity and the leverage to meet customer delivery schedules in today’s fast-paced economy. Our customers represent the broad diversity and strength of today’s economy, with our trucks being deployed in construction, utilities, beverage hauling, food distribution, emergency response, and a host of other applications. We take great pride in our manufacturing workforce and in the proven performance, quality, and popularity of our vehicles."“The pay and benefits of a career at Daimler are unsurpassed in North Carolina,” Nielsen added. “We offer a starting pay of $14.92 per hour, two weeks of paid vacation per year, 14 paid holidays annually, a very low cost and generous medical/dental/vision package, and an exciting college tuition reimbursement program for those who want to continue their education while working. We encourage all interested applicants to apply, including fresh high school graduates and returning veterans.”The company will recruit locally in Gaston County and the surrounding areas for new employees. Interested potential applicants are encouraged to contact the state employment office or visit the ncworks.gov website for additional information, using the search word “Daimler.”
