Chillicothe, OH — Kenworth Truck Company has officially broken ground on a significant expansion of its Chillicothe plant, announcing an $89 million investment for a new 45,825 square-foot facility. This expansion will include a state-of-the-art chassis paint system, enhancing the production capabilities of its Class 8 truck assembly operations.
The expansion will increase the current 622,000 square-foot plant by approximately 7% and is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2026. Situated on a 120-acre site 50 miles south of Columbus, the new facility aims to improve chassis paint capacity while maintaining Kenworth’s commitment to quality and environmental stewardship.
“The investment in this new state-of-the-art facility underscores our commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability at the Kenworth Chillicothe plant,” said Doug VanZuiden, plant manager. “By incorporating the latest paint and robotics technology, we aim to enhance both efficiency and product quality in our truck assembly process.”
Since 2018, Kenworth has invested nearly $400 million in the Chillicothe plant, upgrading assembly technologies and expanding its operations. Earlier this year, the plant celebrated its 50th anniversary of producing what it calls “The World’s Best® trucks.”
Founded in 1923, Kenworth specializes in the design and manufacture of heavy- and medium-duty trucks, leading the industry in the development of advanced diesel powertrains, zero-emission vehicles, connected truck technologies, and autonomous driving systems. For more information, visit www.kenworth.com. Kenworth is a PACCAR company.
