Truck maker closes Ohio plant cuts 1341 jobs
International Motors announced the termination of 1,341 jobs at its Springfield, Ohio facilities after agreeing to sell the assets to Canadian defense and commercial vehicle manufacturer Roshel.
Sale details and employee impact
The Lisle, Illinois‑based truck producer filed a WARN notice with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services indicating that the transaction will close on Oct. 2. Under the asset purchase agreement, Roshel will acquire the operating assets of the Springfield Assembly Plant and the Truck Specialty Center.
Virtually all workers at both sites will be let go on that date, except for a handful on approved leaves of absence. The layoffs cover roughly 1,314 employees at the Assembly Plant and 27 at the Specialty Center, bringing the total to 1,341.
About 1,137 assembly workers and 21 specialty‑center staff belong to United Auto Workers locals 402 and 658.
The plant will close on Oct. 2.
International Motors employs about 14,500 people worldwide and operates a dealer network of roughly 1,000 outlets across North America and beyond.
Background of the Springfield complex
The Springfield campus spans more than 2 million square feet on roughly 500 acres, featuring a full vehicle assembly line and a paint facility. Historically, the site functioned as a truck assembly plant for International. In recent years, it shifted to contract manufacturing for a major automotive company, a deal set to end on Sept. 30, 2026.
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“With the end of our contract manufacturing agreement, we have been working diligently to find a suitable path for the Springfield Assembly Plant,” said Samara Strycker, International’s executive vice president and chief financial officer.
Roshel plans to transform the facilities into a U.S.-based production hub for commercial, specialty and armored vehicles. The company has not disclosed when operations will commence at the Springfield site or whether former International employees will receive hiring preferences.
In practice, the shift means that the sprawling Ohio campus will transition from civilian truck assembly to a focus on defense‑related manufacturing, a change that could reshape the local supply chain.
Implications for the community
The loss of more than 1,300 jobs will have a noticeable effect on Springfield’s labor market. Local officials have not yet announced any mitigation measures, and the community faces a period of uncertainty while the new owner prepares the site for its intended purpose.
Roshel’s entry into the area reflects a broader trend of repurposing North American manufacturing assets to serve evolving commercial and defense markets. While the transaction may eventually bring new employment opportunities, the immediate impact is a sharp rise in unemployment for the displaced workers.
International Motors continues to operate globally, but the Springfield divestiture marks a significant contraction in its U.S. manufacturing footprint.
