Peterbilt Adds 1,000 Jobs at Denton Truck Plant
The local facility expanded its workforce in 2026 to support a 95% surge in truck orders for the manufacturer.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Trucks
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Peterbilt added 1,000 employees at its Denton manufacturing plant throughout 2026, driven by a surge in demand and a shift in production. This hiring effort follows a 95% increase in truck orders during the first nine months of the year compared to 2025 levels.
Why it matters
The expanded local workforce supports Paccar goal to increase its North American heavy-duty truck market share to 35%. This growth represents a strategic consolidation of manufacturing as the company shifts production from international facilities to its U.S. plants.
Paccar reported a 95% increase in truck orders through September 2026, compared to the same period in 2025. This production shift moved Class 8 refuse truck manufacturing from Mexico and medium-duty truck lines from Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec, to Denton and Chillicothe, Ohio.
The players
Peterbilt
A major American manufacturer of heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks, known for its iconic long-hood designs and significant footprint in the Texas manufacturing sector.
Paccar
The parent company of Peterbilt and Kenworth, operating as a global leader in the design and manufacture of premium commercial vehicles with a strong focus on domestic production.
Daimler Truck North America
A prominent competitor to Paccar, focused on commercial vehicle manufacturing and currently managing its own workforce adjustments at North Carolina facilities.
The details
The production shift involved reallocating assembly lines to improve plant flexibility across the company’s network. By moving Class 8 low-cab refuse trucks from Mexico and medium-duty production from Quebec to Denton and Chillicothe, Paccar is centralizing its domestic manufacturing. This move capitalizes on the ongoing freight market recovery, allowing the Denton plant to take on more diverse truck assembly tasks.
Timeline
December 2024 - October 2025: Paccar conducted three rounds of layoffs at its Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec facility.
2025: Paccar held a 30.3% share of the North American heavy-duty truck market.
February 10, 2026: Paccar leadership announced a 35% market share target to analysts.
January - September 2026: Truck orders rose 95% over 2025 levels.
2029: Daimler Truck North America expects to begin operations at a new U.S. manufacturing plant.
The Home Front
The expansion of Denton truck manufacturing follows the ongoing recovery in the freight market, which has driven demand for new fleet vehicles. This strategic shift highlights a move toward domestic supply chains to increase manufacturing flexibility and reduce reliance on international production.
Local households should note that the increased workforce in Denton reflects higher industrial activity and shifting logistics operations in the area. Homeowners near industrial zones may see an increase in heavy vehicle traffic as production volume rises at the facility.
The takeaway
The significant hiring at the Denton plant underscores the importance of monitoring local industrial growth as it relates to area employment and traffic patterns. Keep track of company announcements for potential changes in production schedules that may impact your local commute or neighborhood logistics.
Further reading
For broader trends in vehicle manufacturing, visit the Trucks section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Transport Topics.
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