Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing, a brand of Daimler Truck North America, recently celebrated the grand opening of its plant expansion in Hibbing, Minnesota, doubling its manufacturing and remanufacturing footprint. This marks a milestone in the company's mission toward innovation and sustainability for battery-electric vehicles.
The expansion allows Detroit Reman to expand its focus to BEV-specific remanufactured parts, including a space for high-voltage manufacturing components such as batteries and inverters. The facility supports the growing demand for electric vehicle components.
"We are excited to unveil our expanded facility in Hibbing, which underscores our commitment to innovation and growth in the electric vehicle sector," said Drew Backeberg, SVP of aftermarket at DTNA. "This expansion not only enhances our capacity and efficiency but also positions us to meet the growing demand for electric vehicle components driving us toward a more sustainable future."
The new facility will focus on repairing, remanufacturing, and repurposing commercial batteries. With the expansion of the facility, 11 new production lines will be added by the end of 2024, reinforcing DTNA's commitment to supporting the needs of BEV customers.
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“Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation is proud to support this expansion project with a $10 million business loan and a $500,000 infrastructure grant to the Chisholm-Hibbing Airport Authority. Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing is a vital part of the Iron Range economy,” said Commissioner Ida Rukavina, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. “It provides hundreds of jobs to local people and increases the region’s tax revenue. The remanufactured batteries and components will be utilized in heavy haul trucks throughout the nation to support the transportation and commercial vehicle industry. The expansion emphasizes the impact that northeastern Minnesota has on the entire nation, and we are proud to play a role in the electrification and growth of this industry.”
The facility expansion will be located on the Range Regional Airport property. A long-term lease agreement highlights the business investment goals for the Hibbing community, supported by collaboration with local agencies, including the Department of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation, whose mission is to promote and invest in business, community, and workforce development for the betterment of northeastern Minnesota.
With a total of 120,000 square feet, including 12,000 square feet dedicated to BEVs, DTNA's investment reflects the growing demand for electric vehicle components in the marketplace. With a 33% increase in warehouse and storage space, the expanded facility increases efficiency and storage capacity, enabling smoother operations and faster turnaround times.