Mack Trucks is cutting hundreds of jobs at its Lehigh Valley factory as it adjusts to economic uncertainty and tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration.
The company plans to lay off between 250 and 350 workers, affecting about 10% of its 3,050 employees, over the next three months. This move comes amid a decline in Class 8 heavy-duty truck orders, with net sales falling to 15,700 units in March, down 22% from the year-earlier period.
Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum have significantly impacted the trucking industry, leading to increased costs for companies like Mack Trucks. The company imports parts and materials from various countries, including Sweden, which owns Mack as a subsidiary.
The layoffs are a blow to the region, where the Lehigh Valley has historically been a hub for manufacturing. Republicans in the area have faced criticism from constituents over their handling of the economy under Trump’s leadership.
“I’m disappointed that tariffs continue to harm our families and businesses,” said State Rep. Josh Siegel, a Lehigh County Democrat. “Tariffs aren’t saving American industry; they’re raising costs on all families.”
Mack Trucks was founded in 1900 and has been a subsidiary of Volvo since 2000. The company exports U.S.-built trucks to other countries, which could result in higher costs due to retaliatory tariffs.
This move is part of a broader trend in the trucking industry, which is grappling with economic uncertainty and declining demand for heavy-duty trucks.
Source: https://www.inquirer.com/politics/pennsylvania/mack-trucks-layoffs-lehigh-valley-tariffs-20250418.html