New Technology At SMCO To Preserve 191 Jobs
November 18, 2002 General Motors Powertrain Saginaw Metal Casting Operations Awarded Precision Sand Project
New Technology At SMCO To Preserve 191 Jobs
PONTIAC, Mich. - General Motors Powertrain (GMPT) Saginaw (Mich.) Metal Casting Operations (SMCO) has been awarded the precision sand project to produce engine block castings for GM's next generation of aluminum V-8 engines. The company plans to invest approximately $80 million to renovate a portion of the facility to install precision sand technology, retaining jobs for 191 employees who currently work at the plant. The new engine will power future trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles. Research, development and the installation of related equipment are scheduled to begin before the end of 2002, with the new engines planned for the second half of 2006.
Homi Patel, vice president and general manager of manufacturing for GMPT, announced the new project for SMCO. "I am very pleased that GM plans to make the investment at SMCO to bring precision sand technology to this facility. The SMCO team led by Rick Sutton, plant manager of Saginaw Casting Operations; Ron Brogan, chairman of United Automobile Workers (UAW) Local 668; and Jon Charters, chairman of International Association of Machinists (IAM) Local 2839; is to be commended for their hard work and dedication in developing a successful business case to bring this new process to the plant.
"Their tireless efforts and the proven success of the workforce in developing and implementing new technology, together with the local and state economic support we received, were key factors in the decision to award this new business to SMCO," adds Patel.
"This new aluminum casting process awarded to the plant and its employees continues on GM's strategic vision of converting the facility from iron to supply 100 percent aluminum castings," says Mike Williams, GMPT manufacturing manager for the component sector.
"This announcement brings closure to a tremendous joint effort to provide jobs and a future for SMCO and this community. Putting the precision sand process in our plant is a well-deserved recognition of all of the efforts of the entire SMCO workforce. This is another sign of the confidence GM has in the employees and their ability to deliver," emphasizes Brogan.
Charters adds that, "The men and women of both the IAM and UAW should be extremely proud of this achievement. Their commitment to excellence and dedication to teamwork is what made this possible. We have shown with past experiences that we can take on new processes and be extremely successful."
Sutton points out that, "It's important to recognize the strong teamwork that helped make the precision sand project a reality for SMCO. Saginaw Futures, Inc., the Saginaw City Council and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation worked with the SMCO team to develop a very compelling business case to address the global competitive challenges that we face. Our outstanding workforce at SMCO made it possible for us to achieve our objectives in cost and quality. Through the spirit of cooperation with our unions, we have been able to put competitive work agreements in place. When you put all these factors together, you have a winning combination, and that is what made it possible for us to be awarded the precision sand project."
Mike Williams, president of UAW Local 668, adds, "This is a step into the future. In today's world with all the new technology, we must be ready to meet the challenges that lay before us. This announcement means our members are committed to keeping General Motors a world-class automaker."
Precision sand involves a resin-bonded sand that forms a mold, which shapes the contours of the product to be produced. The sand is cured into a solid exterior mold. Molten metal is then poured into the mold. This process allows the use of cast-in-place iron liners, pressurized aluminum filling and produces a high degree of dimensional accuracy.
SMCO produces the engine block and head for the Vortec 4200 Inline 6, Vortec 4800 V-8, Vortec 5300 V-8 and Vortec 6000 V-8. The plant also produces the engine block for the 3800 (V-6 and supercharged). About 2,400 hourly and salaried employees work at the 1.87 million square foot facility.
General Motors , the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide, and has been the global automotive sales leader since 1931. GM employs about 355,000 people around the world. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.