Daimler cutting more than 1,200 jobs in Gaston, Rowan counties

More than 1,200 jobs will be cut from Daimler Trucks’ plants in Gaston and Rowan counties, the truck manufacturer said Monday.

Daimler said it’s laying off about 700 employees at its Mount Holly Truck Manufacturing Plant and about 550 employees at its Cleveland Truck Manufacturing Plant, effective April 16.

The “adjustments are in response to a sustained reduction in orders and a diminished build rate,” Daimler said. The layoffs are expected to be temporary.

Over the years, Daimler has been known to expand and contract its workforce along with market conditions.

Employees at both plants were notified Sunday and Monday at town hall meetings. Their last day of work will be Friday, the company said, but employees will continue to be paid during the notice period.

After the cuts, the workforce at the Mount Holly Truck Manufacturing Plant will be reduced to 1,450 employees, with plant operations at two full shifts per day. The Cleveland workforce will be down to about 1,600, with plant production at one full shift per day.

The layoffs at the Cleveland plant are in addition to the reduction of 936 employees announced in January.

The Mount Holly plant makes medium-duty Freightliner trucks, while the Cleveland plant produces heavy-duty Freightliner and Western Star trucks.

Daimler declined further comment.

WBTV contributed.

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 5:32 PM with the headline "Daimler cutting more than 1,200 jobs in Gaston, Rowan counties."