Kenworth recently held a groundbreaking ceremony to announce the start of construction on a state-of-the-art $45 million, 105,000 sq.-ft. Test Building addition to its Class 8 truck assembly plant in Chillicothe, Ohio.
The expansion represents a nearly 17% increase to the 622,000 sq.-ft. Kenworth Chillicothe plant, which is located on a 120-acre, site 50 miles south of Columbus, Ohio. 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 and further enhance efficiency, productivity, and quality.
“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, Kenworth Chillicothe plant manager.
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.
