General Motors Massena Plant Makes Significant Contributions To Local Economy In 2002
FOR RELEASE: January 31, 2003General Motors Massena Plant Makes Significant Contributions To Local Economy In 2002
MASSENA, N.Y. -The General Motors Powertrain (GMPT) Massena plant contributed in excess of $123 million to the local, state, and national economies during 2002, with more than 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 Gene Tuohy.
"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," said Tuohy. He added that the automaker's casting plant generated a local payroll of $43.2 million, up from $35.9 million a year ago. In addition, the plant hired 44 new associates to meet increased production needs as well as to replace retirees.
Also last year, GMPT purchased more than $43.9 million worth of goods and services from suppliers located in New York state. Supplier purchases totaled nearly $79.9 million.
Tuohy noted that the plant and its 575 associates contributed more than $53,000 last year to the St. Lawrence and Franklin County United Way campaigns to assist local health and human services. The people of the plant were also recognized for their ongoing generosity with two awards from the local United Way agency -- the Community Spirit Award and a Top 10 Best Employee Campaign Award. Additionally, in keeping with supporting community activities, the plant donated $25,000 to the Massena Bicentennial Committee to support the 2002 bicentennial events and sponsored a car show for the public during the celebration.
The GMPT Massena plant utilizes the innovative lost foam casting process to produce the aluminum cylinder head and engine block castings for 2.2-liter "Ecotec" 4-cylinder engines and aluminum cylinder head castings for 2.2-liter "Vortec 2200" 4-cylinder engines.
The GMPT Massena plant castings were shipped to the GMPT engine plant in Tonawanda, N.Y., where they were finish machined and assembled with other components into engines for GM vehicles. A significant number of Massena-produced lost foam castings were also shipped to Europe and to Spring Hill, Tenn., to support Opel/Vauxhall and Saturn car model engine build requirements in 2002.
GM vehicle models that may be equipped with Massena-produced engine components include: the Chevrolet Cavalier; Pontiac Sunfire and Grand Am; Oldsmobile Alero; Chevrolet S-10 and GMC Sonoma pickup trucks; Saturn L series sedans, the Saturn VUE sport utility vehicle, and the newly launched Saturn ION, as well as some Opel/Vauxhall applications.
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 2002.
Among them:
- Reduced work-related injuries by 18 percent
- Achieved dramatic, double-digit quality improvements, both in-plant and at our customers
- Paid out in excess of $500,000 to employees for their ideas in UAW-GM Quality Network Suggestion program
- Successfully maintained our QS-9000 quality certification status, our ISO-14001 environmental certification status, and our Planned Maintenance Phase III award status
- Began development work for the new Vortec 2800 Inline 4 cylinder head that was recently added to our plant's product portfolio for future GM vehicle applications
- Successfully met increased production requirements for our "Ecotec" cylinder heads and blocks
Tuohy emphasized that, "Massena plant associates should take pride in their accomplishments during 2002. We successfully increased production on the very complex new "Ecotec" engine product program and have maintained continuous improvement in quality. We have taken our lost foam technology to the competitive forefront in our industry and have created a strong foundation for the future of the lost foam casting process, not only within General Motors, but in worldwide industry acceptance as well. I am confident that 2003 will be an exciting year for all of us as we continue to increase production of our new global engine components and begin to launch our latest new product, the recently announced Vortec 2800 I4 cylinder head."
"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.
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 350,000 people around the world. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.