Mack Trucks to lay off 180 at Pennsylvania plant

The Mack layoffs will take effect at the close of production at the plant on Dec. 23. Production will resume with reduced manpower during the week of Jan. 12.

The Associated Press

12/10/2008

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Mack Trucks plans to lay off 180 employees at its factory near Allentown and will extend its annual end-of-year production shutdown at the site.

Mack Tucks Inc. spokesman John Walsh on Wednesday cited economic conditions.

Walsh says the layoffs will take effect at the close of production at the plant on Dec. 23. Production will resume with reduced manpower during the week of Jan. 12.

The plant employs about 680 workers making heavy trucks.

Four months ago, Mack had announced it would move its headquarters and testing center to Greensboro, N.C., from Allentown.

Mack had recalled about 150 workers in October due to more orders from Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at kevinj@thetrucker.com.