(Manufacturing.net) — Lansing, Mich.-based General Motors today announced a $44.5 million investment for its Lansing Grand River Assembly plant, which currently manufactures the Cadillac ATS and CTS. With the investment, the company will build a 400,000 square-foot Logistics Optimization Center and hire 200 additional employees.
The Logistics Optimization Center will, according to the company, better leverage plant real estate to streamline the flow of materials. GM hopes to improve quality by reducing part handling and transportation needs, and aims to save money in the process. Officials with the company said the new facility is an “example of how we’re doing business differently in GM today,” with an emphasis on process engineering to increase efficiency and improve quality delivered to the consumer.
The Lansing Grand River facility currently employs 1,500 hourly and salaried employees, and the new investment comes after an $88 million retooling in May 2011 to build the next-generation CTS, and a $190 million investment in October 2010 to hire 600 employees and roll out a second shift of operations.
In a statement, Christine Sitek, GM North America manufacturing manager, said: “This project is the latest example of how we’re doing business differently in GM today. We’ve developed an innovative material strategy that increases efficiency and improves quality to benefit our customers, employees and the bottom line.”
Lansing Regional Plant Manager, Tony Francavilla, added: “This investment was earned through the quality and flexibility that has been a hallmark of Lansing Grand River since it opened in 2001. However, our plant could not be successful without the strong support from our local community, the city council and Mayor Virg Bernero. We’re committed to continuing world-class manufacturing performance for which we are known, and our customers demand.”
The Cadillac ATS and CTS models (sedan, coupe and wagon) manufactured at the plant have received a number of awards, including the 2013 North American Car of the Year, and have been featured on Car and Driver’s 10Best List for a number of years.
