By Boris Ladwig, The Republic
bladwig@therepublic.com
Cummins Inc. has shortened the upcoming shutdown of its engine plant near Walesboro to three weeks - down from the previously expected two months.
Cummins Midrange Engine Plant exclusively supplies 6.7-liter diesel engines for the Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks.
The engine maker had said last month it expected to finish producing engines for the 2009 model by mid-August and idle the plant until mid-October before starting production on the 2010 model.
However, a Cummins spokesman said Tuesday that work on the 2009 model would be extended until the end of this week, and production is scheduled to resume Sept. 14.
"We're obviously pleased that the downtime is shorter than we expected," said Mark Land, executive director of corporate communications.
"It's good that we have some clarity."
The plant employs 400, including 320 on the shop floor. All work one shift.
Land said all 400 are expected to return Sept. 14. In mid-May, Cummins began idling CMEP, which at that time employed 610, because of Chrysler's bankruptcy.
In mid-June, when Chrysler emerged from bankruptcy, the auto maker announced that it would honor its contracts with Cummins for the midrange engine.
In mid-July, Cummins recalled 400 workers to CMEP to finish production on the 2009 model.