Kenworth began construction on a state-of-the-art Test Building addition to its Class 8 truck assembly plant in Chillicothe, Ohio. The 105,000-square-foot add on will cost $45 million to build and will increase the plant footprint by nearly 17 percent. Kenworth will construct the new Test Building on the north side of the plant.
When completed in the second quarter of 2023, all testing and validation activities will relocate from current operations to the new Test Building for enhanced efficiency, productivity, and quality, according to the company.
“Kenworth’s major investment in the new Test Building demonstrates our continuing commitment to produce industry-leading Class 8 trucks, while supported by the dedication of our employees,” said Doug VanZuiden, plant manager, in a prepared statement.
In addition to VanZuiden, other Kenworth Chillicothe participants in the groundbreaking ceremony were assistant plant managers J.D. Pinkerton and Jack Schmitt, and Craig McGuire, manufacturing engineering manager. Dignitaries included Tammy Eallonardo, director of economic development; Jeff Doles, board chairman; and Jeff Graham, board vice chairman; all from Greater Chillicothe & Ross County Development; Matt Arnold, vice president of preconstruction operations, and Christian Simpson, preconstruction leader, both of Rudolph Libbe Inc., and Taylor Stepp, project manager, Ohio Southeast (OhioSE) Economic Development.
Source: Kenworth
