Kenworth Celebrates 50 Years of Building "The World's Best® Trucks" in Chillicothe, Ohio
March 7, 2024 - 8:02:59 am

Chillicothe, Ohio – March 4, 2024 – Kenworth Truck Company is proud to celebrate a golden anniversary – 50 years of building its iconic trucks at the Chillicothe, Ohio assembly plant. The plant officially opened its doors on March 4, 1974, and just one day later, the very first Kenworth W900 truck rolled off the assembly line.

Since then, the dedicated employees at the Kenworth Chillicothe plant have produced over 782,000 trucks, all embodying the company's core values of quality, innovation, and cutting-edge technology. The plant currently employs approximately 2,500 people, making it one of the largest employers in Ross County and Kenworth's largest manufacturing facility in the world.

"Chillicothe is the perfect location for Kenworth to build trucks," said Jim Walenczak, Kenworth general manager and Paccar vice president. "Our proximity to customers, suppliers, and a highly skilled workforce we call the Kenworth family makes it ideal for efficient operations and fostering strong relationships."

This 50-year milestone is a testament to the unwavering dedication of the Chillicothe workforce, both past and present. Kenworth's commitment to continued growth in Chillicothe is further solidified by the $300 million investment made since 2018. This investment has transformed the 622,000-square-foot facility into a state-of-the-art manufacturing hub featuring advanced technologies like robotic assembly and the industry's latest paint technology.

"Our highly experienced and dedicated workforce is the secret behind our customer-oriented approach and ability to build custom-engineered vehicles," said Doug VanZuiden, Kenworth Chillicothe plant manager. "This team takes immense pride in building quality and passion into every single 'World's Best®' truck that leaves our assembly line."

Jeff Hougland, one of the plant's longest-tenured employees, joined Kenworth Chillicothe as a parts welder in 1975 and has witnessed firsthand the positive impact the plant has had on the community.

"When I started working at Kenworth, the economy was struggling, and unemployment was high," Hougland recalled. "The opening of the plant in 1974 was a lifeline for many in our community seeking employment opportunities. Over the years, the plant's growth and expansion projects, like the new paint facility, have created even more well-paying jobs. I've been fortunate to work with incredible people throughout my career here, and I'm proud to be part of a team that builds the best trucks on the road."