Aug 1, 2004 12:00 PM

Freightliner LLC is adding a third shift and 593 new full-time jobs at its Cleveland NC truck manufacturing plant.

The additional shift and new employees are required to meet increased production demands at the plant, which builds Freightliner-brand heavy-duty trucks. This plant has been increasing its output throughout the year in response to the improving North American heavy-duty truck market.

Freightliner's largest manufacturing facility, the Cleveland plant employs 3,000 people to produce Class 8 vehicles including the Freightliner Century Class S/T, Columbia, Argosy, and Condor. With the addition of new jobs, employment will rise to about 3,600 people.

The new, third shift is scheduled to begin in mid-July. Freightliner has already been hiring for the new production positions and will soon reach full employment.

Freightliner also announced that its Gastonia NC parts manufacturing plant has added 100 full-time employees. This plant produces cab and chassis parts for Freightliner's truck manufacturing operations and parts distribution centers. The plant now employs 875 people.