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Mack Trucks' arrival in the Triad is a welcome silver lining in a still-cloudy economic picture.

The legendary truck manufacturer on Thursday opened its new world headquarters here, on the same campus with corporate partner Volvo Trucks North America.

For Mack, sharing support systems with Volvo Trucks could save millions of dollars. And with the nation's trucking industry continuing to feel the pinch of recession, greater efficiency positions the company better for long-term growth.

For Greensboro, it means the kind of high-paying jobs that seldom just show up on your doorstep, particularly without forking over millions in incentives.

Some of the those jobs, however, will be filled by Mack employees moving south from Allentown, Pa., Mack's home for decades.

Even so, the long-term job projections are encouraging. Company officials say as many as 500 could be added over several years, depending on the economy. Mack's average annual salary of $73,800 is twice the city's median salary.

Equally important, another corporate presence, especially one of Mack's stature, boosts a city image tarnished by the demise of the once-dominant textile industry.

Having Mack here also fits nicely into the region's goal of marketing itself as a transportation and logistics hub. Mack joins a growing list of transportation-oriented companies with a presence here, including HondaJet and FedEx.

But Mack is something special. As president and CEO Dennis Slagle noted at the welcoming ceremonies, "People who don't know anything about the trucking industry know about Mack Trucks."

Together, Mack and Volvo have prospered in a heavy truck market that has seen storied marquees of yesteryear fall by the wayside. Yet challenges remain. The lingering economic downturn has eroded large-truck sales, and tougher environmental regulations, effective next year, must be met.

On a personal level, leaving family and friends back in Pennsylvania probably hasn't been easy for relocating Mack families. Imagine if the shoe were on the other foot.

But like newcomers before them who transferred here with Lorillard, Gilbarco and Ciba-Geigy, they will find that the Triad is a good place to live, work and play. Welcome.