The Chrysler Twinsburg stamping plant has a 50-year history and, at its peak, employed more than 3,400 workers. Here are the highlights: 1955 Chrysler announces plans to build a stamping plant in northern Summit County, chooses Twinsburg. 1956 Ground broken. 1957 Production begins in March. 1963 Groundbreaking for plant expansion. 1984 Possible high point, with 3,427 hourly employees, including about 390 salaried. 1985 Chrysler announces plans to spend $120 million over three years to further automate stamping plants in Twinsburg and the Detroit suburbs of Warren and Sterling Heights, Mich. 1989 Although a number of northern U.S. auto plants shut down over the decade, the Chrysler stamping plant in Twinsburg continues to employ some 3,200 hourly workers, making it the third-largest employer in the Akron area. 1994 Chrysler's new generation of minivans is expected to bring a stream of new, steady work, securing the jobs of at least 1,400 workers, a corporate executive says. Company to spend $80 million to upgrade and retool. 1996 Summit County Council gives Chrysler a nearly $5 million tax break in return for the company's addition of $122 million in machinery and equipment. 1998 Chrysler acquires by Daimler-Benz AG. 2001 In a toughening economy, DaimlerChrysler begins cutbacks. Gradual employment decline at Twinsburg. 2007 Employment has slipped to 1,700. Plant experiences first United Auto Workers strike in 22 years. 2009 Buyouts and early retirements reduce plant payroll to less than 1,000. Compiled by Norma Hill, Beacon Journal librarian