Page 21 - LRCC FOCUS MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2023
P. 21

Shyft Group brands – is a testament
        to our commitment to innovation and
        sustainability,” said Jon Douyard, chief
        financial officer of The Shyft Group. “It
        will enable us to produce our Blue Arc
        line of all-electric walk-in vans in the
        Class 3-5 segment, further solidifying
        our position as North America's leader
        in specialty vehicles. Our coast-to-coast
        production network, combined with
        our Work-Driven Design™ approach,
        will be further bolstered by this facility.”

        With the expansion, upgrades to facilities, and         a commercial-grade, purpose-built
        installation of new equipment, Shyft will have          EV chassis and a fully reimagined
        the capacity to produce up to 3,000 EVs per year        all-electric delivery walk-in van, is a
        in Charlotte.                                           testament to that commitment.

        “Charlotte, and the wider Lansing region, has been     “The Shyft Group has always been
        home to The Shyft Group for nearly 50 years,” said      forward-looking, and our history
        Douyard. “Our decision to invest further in Charlotte   of investments in quality and
        leverages the region's strengths, including its         innovation speaks for itself,” said
        existing infrastructure, strategic proximity to Lansing   Douyard. “As we continue to focus
        and skilled workforce. This region has consistently     on advancing clean commercial       Douyard
        supported our speed to market and scalability           transportation and responding to market needs, the
        goals, especially in the Class 3-5 EV segment. It's     potential for future investments remains robust. We
        not just about business; it's about our long-standing   are excited about the opportunities ahead and remain
        relationship with the community.”                       committed to leading the charge in the specialty
                                                                vehicles sector.”
        Douyard called the facility a step forward in the
        company’s mission to lead the commercial vehicle        Douyard said The Shyft Group’s expansion would not
        transition to electric. He said The Shyft Group is setting   have been possible without the co-investment and
        new industry benchmarks for quality and market          business incentives from the city of Charlotte, the Lansing
        readiness with the production of the Class 3 All-Electric   Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), and the Michigan
        Walk-In Van. The Blue Arc EV project, which includes    Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). l

                                                                                                                       21 21
   16   17   18   19   20   21   22   23   24   25   26