GM Powertrain Plant In Massena, N.Y. a Good Neighbor
FOR RELEASE: February 5, 2002Massena Year End Report
MASSENA, N.Y.- General Motors Corporation's GM Powertrain plant contributed in excess of $112 million to the local, state, and national economies during 2001, with nearly 70 percent of those dollars remaining in New York State and the North Country, according to a year-end review released today by Plant Manager John Lancaster. This is indicative of the results that can be achieved when businesses and communities work together to enhance the local economic climate for their mutual benefit.
Lancaster said the automaker's casting plant generated a local payroll of $35.9 million, up from $34.5 million a year ago. In addition, the plant hired 14 new associates to meet increased production needs as well as to replace retirees.
Also last year, GM Powertrain purchased more than $41 million worth of goods and services from suppliers located in New York State. Supplier purchases totaled nearly $76.2 million.
Lancaster noted that the plant and its 570 associates contributed more than $57,000 last year to the St. Lawrence and Franklin County United Way campaigns to assist local health and human services. Additionally, following the September 11th terrorist attacks, the plant associates, along with matching GM funds, contributed more than $10,000 to the American Red Cross to aid in the relief efforts at the NYC World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania disaster sites. And in keeping with supporting community activities, the plant pledged $25,000 to the Massena Bicentennial Committee to support its planning for the 2002 bicentennial celebration events.
The GM Powertrain - Massena plant produces aluminum cylinder heads for the 2.2-liter displacement "2200" and "Vortec 2200" families of GM 4-cylinder engines; both aluminum cylinder heads and engine blocks for the new L850 2.2-liter displacement "Ecotec" family of global GM 4-cylinder engines, for use in Saturn vehicles and several European applications; and aluminum driven sprocket supports for both 4T40E and 4T45E four-speed automatic transmission applications in GM vehicles.
GM vehicles equipped with Massena-produced components include: the Chevrolet Cavalier and Malibu; Pontiac Sunfire and Grand Am; Oldsmobile Alero; Chevrolet S-10 and GMC Sonoma pickup trucks, Saturn L series sedans and the new Saturn VUE sport utility vehicle. Other vehicles that may be equipped with Massena produced castings include: Opel/Vauxhall Astra, Zafira, Speedster and Vectra, as well as Isuzu Hombre pickup trucks.
Fred LeBlanc, chairman of United Auto Workers Local 465, stated that it was the plant's recognized cooperative union and management relationship, along with the dedicated teamwork of the people, that played a major role in achieving their successes. He further noted that the plant observed several significant events during 2001. Among them:
- Completed another year without a lost workday case.
- Successfully launched the ramp-up of the L850 engine program product volumes.
- Recognized by GM and the UAW for our implementation of planned maintenance strategies.
- Achieved dramatic quality improvements, both in-plant and at our customers.
- Paid out in excess of $513,000 to employees for their ideas in UAW-GM Quality Network Suggestion program.
- Successfully maintained our QS-9000 quality certification status and our ISO-14001 environmental certification.
- Continued as 100 percent supplier for all of the aluminum, lost foam produced, engine and transmission powertrain components noted previously.
- Awarded a new Inline I4 cylinder head to our plant's product portfolio for future GM vehicle applications.
"None of our accomplishments would have been possible without the outstanding work and dedication of our associates, and the continued efforts and support from the community in creating a competitive environment that encourages industrial and economic growth in Northern New York," LeBlanc added in closing.