“This action reflects the continuing evolution taking place in the trailer industry from component manufacturing to complete module and system assembly," Commercial Vehicle Systems vp Norm Boisvert said in a statement. "Manufacturing efficiencies, coupled with the need to serve our customers’ needs, led to the decision to move these assembly operations to the Lugoff facility and to close the Montgomery facility.”
Company spokesman Bob Goldston told Fleet Owner that the shift of production to Lugoff will be gradual, and that the target date to close the Montgomery plant is the end of January.
Goldston said 105 people are employed at the Montgomery plant, and that they will be offered other available opportunities within the Dana, or outplacement services.
According to Boisvert, the state-of-the art Lugoff facility has an infrastructure tailored to the manufacture of complete assemblies that support Dana's growth plans for the further development of integrated ride and control systems.
Dana’s Commercial Vehicle Systems Group designs, manufactures and markets front-steer, rear-drive, trailer, and auxiliary axles; driveshafts; steering shafts; brakes; suspensions; and related systems, modules, and services for the commercial vehicle market.
