In The News

Peterbilt closes Nashville facility

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Peterbilt Motors Company announced the temporary closure of its Madison facility, which has been on a work stoppage due to union contract negotiations.

Larry Vessels, the plant manager for the Denton, Texas-based heavy truck manufacturer, said due to a failure to reach an agreement with United Auto Workers, the facility has not been producing since June of last year.

The Tennessee Department of Labor announced Monday that 390 employees were being laid off. Vessels said most of those employees haven't been working at the plant in the past 10 months.

Vessels said the company decided to close the plant because of the sagging economy and the reduced demands in the truck market, but the plant could reopen if the market improves.

Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at [email protected] .