Ryan Schulenberg shares personal letter to the administration regarding the closure of Daimler Truck North America's Portland manufacturing plant
Ryan Schulenberg, a longtime supervisor at the Daimler Truck North America plant in Portland, Oregon, wrote a letter to the administration to highlight the human impact of the company's manufacturing shift. The company announced that it will end truck production at its Swan Island facility by the end of October, affecting approximately 375 positions. While production moves to the Carolinas, the company will maintain its North American headquarters and a new $40 million engineering facility in Portland. Schulenberg, who has worked at the plant for 33 years, expressed his desire for policymakers to recognize the people whose lives are tied to manufacturing jobs. He noted that his son also works at the plant, representing the third generation of his family to do so. The company spokesperson, Robert Sterling, stated that the decision was a network-wide move to consolidate manufacturing at larger East Coast factories rather than a reflection of local business conditions. The union, led by Brandon Bryant, is now focusing on negotiating transition assistance and severance benefits for the affected workers.