U.S. Truckmaker to Close Quebec Plant

04/11/96

United Press International reported that U.S. Truckmaker PACCAR Inc. will permanently close their Kenworth manufacturing facility in Ste. Therese, Quebec. The closing affects hundreds of jobs: up until mid-year 1995 900 people worked at the plant, assembling 20 Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks a day. PACCAR's presence in Ste. Therese dates back to 1967, when it bought the plant from Sicard, Inc.

Unionized employees at the plant have been on strike since August 8, 1995. The company said that the strike was one of several factors that brought about the decision to close the factory, although they insisted it was mainly based on the fact that the plant is not economically viable. PACCAR's senior vice-president Gary Moore said "Even if we could have reached an agreement the plant still would not be as competitive as our other North American facilities."

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel