PACCAR Australia to boost production, jobs

While 2020 has been an undeniably challenging year, PACCAR Australia has announced it is set to increase its staffing levels as it looks to increase production over coming months.

The firm has already begun recruiting for positions at its production facility in Bayswater, in Melbourne's eastern suburbs.

According to PACCAR Australia's Managing Director, Andrew Hadjikakou, the boost will bring benefits on many levels.

"This is great news for local manufacturing and follows the recent employment of more than 120 people for the Kenworth DAF Bayswater Plant, and many more in PACCAR’s supply chains, following the increase in production earlier this year," he said.

"Being a proud Australian manufacturer with a predominantly Australian supplier base means we are not suffering some of the constraints of overseas component supply. Australians are patriotic and are showing that supporting Australian manufacturing is important to them.

"The increase in production reflects the work carried out across the business in managing the restrictions and challenges we have faced this year, particularly in Victoria.

Related reading:
Kenworth launches first Class 8 battery-electric truck
PacLease network expands
Kenworth T403: buying used review

"I am proud of the dedication and enthusiasm displayed by all PACCAR Australia employees, our dealers and suppliers in ensuring we keep delivering world class Kenworth and DAF trucks while adhering to Government guidelines on social distancing and maintaining health and safety standards.

"As we go into our 50th year of manufacturing Australian-made Kenworth trucks, we also celebrate the assembling of DAF trucks in Australia, having more than doubled the number of DAFs being produced in the plant since 2018. The increase in production provides a positive outlook for the future growth of both brands in Australia.

"In preparation for this growth, the $40 million Bayswater site expansion is well underway and is on schedule for completion in 2021."