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MORAINE — The DMAX truck engine plant is preparing its work force for the layoff of up to 330 workers, plant and union officials said Wednesday Sept. 3.

The cuts are due to slowing demand for the heavy-duty trucks whose engines the plant produces, said Harry Bogan, director of the International Union of Electronic Workers-Communication Workers of America region in which the plant is located.

The cuts will hit on or around Nov. 3, said Courtney Strickler, DMAX spokeswoman.

There's a possibility the layoffs won't affect so many workers, Bogan said after meeting with plant officials.

"They said they hope that it's less than that, and I think there's a good possibility that it will be less," Bogan said.

Strickler said 330 affected workers is the plant's "best number" at the moment. She also said the company is filing a WARN (Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification) letter with Ohio government today.

The plant makes engines for the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy-duty truck models, as well as the Kodiak and Topkick heavy-duty trucks.

The plant today has about 780 workers, Bogan said.

In early June, DMAX announced the layoffs of about 290 workers, due to be effective mid-July. This latest announcement is to be in addition to those cuts, Bogan and Strickler said.

Strickler said she did not believe the cut will affect General Motors Corp.'s $69 million investment in the plant for the production of a 6.6-liter, V-8 turbo diesel engine that meets stricter federal emissions requirements.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2390 or tgnau@DaytonDailyNews.com.