General Motors has announced that it plans to start construction on a $174-million stamping facility. They are estimating that this new facility will generate or retain roughly 145 jobs. This new stamping facility will be an addition to the Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant, which currently includes a body shop, paint shop, general assembly and central utilities complex. GM hopes to save roughly $14 million per year in logistics costs which are tied to material handling when the plant comes on line in 2016.
The facility will produce stamping components for the Cadillac ATS and Cadillac CTS family of vehicles and a future product.
“Lansing Grand River Assembly is known for the high quality of its work and the flexible manufacturing that has been a trademark since it opened,” said GM North America Manufacturing Manager Christine Sitek. “Today’s announcement demonstrates GM’s commitment to strengthening key plant capabilities related to quality and efficiency.”
Built in 2001, Lansing Grand River is GM’s second-newest U.S. assembly plant and the manufacturing home of the Cadillac ATS, CTS and the CTS V-series performance versions, as well as the Chevrolet Camero. It currently employs approximately 1,540 workers.
“This major investment is a vote of confidence in the hard-working membership of UAW Local 652,” said UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, who directs the unio’s General Motors Department. “We’re proud of the role we played in helping rebuild Michigan’s economy through collective bargaining and negotiations for investment and jobs in our UAW-represented plants.”
I think I can speak for all of the UAW members at General Motors Lansing Grand River plant when I say we are thrilled to have this additional investment in the plant and the jobs it will create in the community, said UAW Region 1D Director Gerald Kariem.
GM has announced Lansing facility investments of more than $530 million since 2009. Furthermore, GM has invested nearly $11 billion in U.S. facilities, including $777 million so far this year. This investment demonstrates GMs committment and confidence in the U.S. market. U.S. auto sales are booming, slowing down slightly in July. The market forecast is clear that there is a greater demand for demand for cars meaning there is a greater need for more jobs in automobile manufacturing, sales and service. The numbers that are being reporter are higher than they have been in the last several years. GMs decision to invest in Lansing and a new stamping plant are indicative of these trends.
“once again, our hometown car company is hitting it out of the park with a massive new investment at Lansing Grand River,” said Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero. “I’m deeply grateful to General Motors for making the Lansing region a centerpiece of its global manufacturing strategy. Its confidence in our world-class UAW workforce and strong partnership with local government will continue to deliver jobs and prosperity in Lansing for decades to come.”
SOURCE General Motors
