International’s ProStar rolls off assembly lines in Ontario

CHATHAM, Ont. — Several years in the making, International Truck’s new aerodynamic Class 8 tractor, the flagship International ProStar, is finally rolling off the assembly line as scheduled at the company’s Chatham, Ont., plant.

A gradual ramp-up is planned for this “new-from-the-tires-up” vehicle.

Assisting the company’s on-schedule performance has been a major $270 million modernization of the Chatham facility, including a complete reconfiguration of the assembly line. The plant and its experienced workforce play a significant part in the tractor’s dynamic innovations.

“In all my years working with vehicles, I’ve never seen a product launch this flawless,” said Tom Baughman, vice president and general manager of the Heavy Truck Group at International. “We’ve tested and retested the product design and production process under every possible scenario to be sure we’re ready for full production.”

Production began on Monday. The plant will continue to ramp up in small steps during the first 60 days to reach a level of 30 units a day. Further production increases will be dependent on the strength of the over-the-highway tractor demand by late spring. At full production, the facility expects to manufacture more than 100 trucks a day and employ two shifts. International will release the first production units to customers in early March.

Among other modernizing steps, a new chassis spray-paint booth improves paint coverage while reducing paint usage and also makes environmental improvements. And International officials have been working with ergonomic experts to identify and make jobs as productive, quality-conducive and ergonomically efficient as possible. Further, a relentless pursuit of continuous improvement in safety has been under way to ensure the plant and its employees adapt to a changing workplace.