Morgan Truck Body, a manufacturer of light- and medium-duty truck bodies, is expanding its manufacturing footprint in the Midwest.
The company says its new facility in Orrville OH will have the capability to produce a combined 4,000 dry freight and refrigerated truck bodies for retail and fleet customers annually. Morgan expects to employ 140 team members at the facility, which boasts approximately 210,000 square feet of production, office and warehouse space.
Combined with the acquisition of Multivans in Bolton, Ontario, Canada, and the opening of a plant in Plainfield CT in late 2018, the Orrville plant is Morgan’s 14th in the US and Canada.
“Morgan continues executing its aggressive growth strategy by launching innovative new products, penetrating new markets, and pursuing key acquisitions,” said Norb Markert, Morgan’s president and CEO. “This has resulted in record revenues, thus allowing us to expand even further with new production facilities.”
Added Wallace Davis, operations director for the Orrville plant: “We’re excited for the opportunity and value this plant will offer the Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky and western Pennsylvania markets. By recruiting the most talented individuals, Morgan will continue delivering industry-leading quality products and services to our valued customers.”
A team including JobsOhio, Team NEO, Wayne Economic Development Council and the City of Orrville collaborated to ensure Morgan chose Northeast Ohio for its expansion, the company said.
“This investment speaks to the confidence Morgan has in the talent at its Orrville facility,” said Jonathan Bridges, JobsOhio automotive sector director. “Morgan is growing rapidly throughout North America, and we are excited that 140 more Northeast Ohioans will support the company’s success.”
Bill Koehler, Team NEO’s chief executive officer, echoed the sentiment.
“Wayne County’s strong manufacturing community was a critical factor for Morgan choosing Northeast Ohio for their expansion,” Koehler said. “Thanks to the commitment of our cross-organizational team that drove this positive outcome.”
Mike Hedberg, who manages the Orrville Office of Economic Development, said he too was excited about adding Morgan to the community.
“(We) look forward to building a strong partnership for many years to come,” he said. “We greatly appreciate the efforts of the Wayne Economic Development Council, Team NEO and JobsOhio for their assistance in bringing this project to fruition.”
