Michigan Representative Phil Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp) proclaimed July 25 “Detroit Day” in the state of Michigan in recognition of the 75th anniversary of Detroit Diesel Corp (Detroit) at an employee appreciation event at the company’s corporate headquarters in Redford MI.
“As a long-time resident of Redford, I am very thankful to have Detroit as my corporate neighbor,” Cavanagh said. “Over the years Detroit has been very active and generous in our community--from the Annual Township Fireworks to paving dirt roads. Detroit has played, and will continue to play, an integral part in southeast Michigan and industrial greatness of America.”
Since its inception in 1938, Detroit built more than four million engines at its three million square-foot manufacturing plant in Redford. Over the past 10 years, parent company Daimler Trucks North America has invested more than $750 million dollars in the Detroit plant, making it one of the most state-of-the-art powertrain manufacturing facilities in the world.
The Employee Appreciation Event recognized the more than 2,300 Detroit employees who work at the Redford facility, as well as the company’s 2,000 retirees. Since 1938, Detroit has employed approximately 15,000 Michigan residents.
The day included plant tours, contests, and ride-and-drives in the Freightliner Cascadia Evolution, equipped with the Detroit powertrain. There was also a product fair that featured current Detroit products, including the Detroit family of heavy-duty engines, a Detroit axles display, and the new Detroit DT12 automated manual transmission.
“Our Employee Appreciation Event provided us with the opportunity to not only commemorate our history, but to celebrate all of the hard-working people behind the brand and products,” said Brad Williamson, manager, engine and component marketing for Daimler Trucks North America. “We are proud of our contributions to not only southeast Michigan, but to the transportation industry. Detroit has been at the forefront of product innovation since 1938, and we will continue to develop industry-leading products from right here in Redford that have a global impact.”
