Custom Truck One Source adding 61 jobs in Bedford County

Custom Truck One Source will expand its manufacturing business in Bedford County, investing $2.6 million and creating 61 jobs, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday.

The Kansas City, Missouri-based company plans to double production at its specialized truck and heavy equipment plant in Bedford’s Forest area to meet growing demand.

“Custom Truck One Source has been manufacturing specialty heavy and aerial lift trucks in Virginia for nearly 30 years,” Northam said in a statement. “Their success demonstrates the incredible value and growth that this industry can rev up for our commonwealth and local economies.”

Since 2008, the company’s Bedford operation has grown from 17 employees to 192. This is the company’s third expansion in the past decade, after adding a welding facility and a customer pickup area.

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the county to secure the project and plans to support Custom Truck’s job creation through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“We’re proud of the continued success we’ve had in Bedford County, which has allowed us to launch this current on-site expansion with new jobs and investment,” CEO Fred Ross said in a statement.