Volvo VNLs on the assembly line at the New River Valley plant. Photo: Volvo

Volvo VNLs on the assembly line at the New River Valley plant. Photo: Volvo 

Volvo Trucks North America has decided to cancel a round of layoffs at its Dublin, Va., truck manufacturing plants that would have put 500 people out of work.

The company told employees on Jan. 19, that it was forgoing the latest round of layoffs, which was announced in December, according to a Roanoke Times report. The layoffs were scheduled to go into effect on Feb. 13, eliminating jobs from the plant’s second shift.

In a statement, Vic President of Corporate Communications John Mies said that the OEM has been monitoring industry truck-buying trends since its initial announcement and decided not to go forward with the layoffs based on a more positive outlook. He also said the company wants to remain flexible enough to respond to manufacturing needs.

In 2016, a down year for new Class 8 truck sales, major North American truck manufacturers announced workforce reductions, including Daimler Trucks, which let over 1,200 workers go last year. Volvo Trucks laid off around 1,000 employees total last year from its New River Valley truck plant in two separate layoffs.

The New River Valley plant is one of the company’s largest manufacturing facilities. It assembles Volvo VNM, VNL, VNX, VHD, and VAH trucks.

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