The Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing, a brand of Daimler Truck North America (DTNA), celebrated the grand opening of its plant expansion in Hibbing, Minnesota, increasing its manufacturing and remanufacturing footprint by twice its size.
"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, senior vice president of aftermarket, 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 towards a more sustainable future."
The expansion allows Detroit Reman to expand its focus to BEV-specific remanufactured parts, including a dedicated space for high-voltage manufacturing components such as batteries and inverters. The facility supports the increasing demand for electric vehicle components, which is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
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The new space will focus on the repair, remanufacturing, and repurpose of commercial batteries. The facility expansion, which will add 11 new production lines by the end of 2024, underscores DTNA's commitment to supporting the ever-evolving needs of BEV customers.
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.
“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,” said Commissioner Ida Rukavina, Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. “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.”
With a total of 120,000 sq. ft., including 12,000 sq. ft. dedicated to BEVs, DTNA's strategic 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.