Kenworth plant in Renton, WA, to lay off 430

The plant that builds Kenworths in Renton, WA, is laying off hundreds of workers until the economy turns around.

The Seattle Times reported that, as of last year, the company was building 18 trucks a day in Renton. A Paccar spokesman estimated that retail sales of heavy-duty trucks will reach only 150,000 in the U.S. and Canada this year, down from 176,000 in 2007 and 322,000 in 2006.

The director of economic development for the city of Renton said that as many as 430 workers will be sent home.