New Center Stamping Celebrates 5th Anniversary
1 June 1998
New Center Stamping Celebrates 5th Anniversary
Plant Has Provided 300 New Jobs to Detroiters
DETROIT, June 1 -- Five years ago, Gregory Smith visited a
closed stamping plant in the heart of a light industrial area of Detroit just
east of the New Center, expecting to buy some of the presses and other
equipment that were up for sale.
He ended up buying the plant.
Smith, 53, President/CEO of New Center Stamping, Inc., at 950 E. Milwaukee
near Hastings, with the help of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation,
purchased the building and equipment for $3 million, and has invested another
$5 million for improvements in the stamping plant.
"Thanks to the Empowerment Zone and the improved image of Detroit as a
place to do business, this light industrial section of Detroit is coming alive
again," Smith said. "Starting up our business here is one of the best
investment moves we could have made."
When Smith arrived at 950 E. Milwaukee back in 1992, he was taken on a
tour of a 210,000 square foot plant on five acres that housed mammoth
machinery all set-up to stamp out bumpers, fenders, hoods and other automotive
parts.
His intention was to move the equipment to a plant he had opened in
Northern Michigan in 1991.
"We decided it was not worth the expense and effort it would have taken to
move the machinery and equipment to another site," Smith said. "We simply
decided to start doing business at the Detroit location. Today, we have 300
employees, and provide service parts to General Motors, Ford and Chrysler."
On June 2, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Smith will be joined by Detroit Mayor
Dennis W. Archer and invited guests to celebrate New Center Stamping, Inc.'s
fifth anniversary of doing business in Detroit.
The celebration is two-fold. It recognizes the progress New Center
Stamping has made in the past five years, and it commemorates the rich history
of the facility.
"Originally this building housed Fisher Body Plant #37, which was a die
tryout facility until General Motors closed it," Smith explained. "The
building was an innovative design with high ceilings of expansive windows that
fill the plant with light and open airiness.
"We inherited a piece of history that goes back to the early days of
Detroit's preeminence in the automotive industry," Smith said. "What's
wonderful is that this 70-year-old plant still fits into today's work
environment."
Today, New Center Stamping is a major employer of metro area residents, of
which 85 percent are Detroiters.
"We have a strong commitment to Detroit," Smith said. New Center
Stamping's work force is involved in a number of very effective communications
programs, including a bonus program, newsletters/question box, an open door
policy, plant meetings/luncheons, perfect attendance programs, and safety
award raffles.
Many of the employees are previously laid off, under-employed, and
unemployed members of the community. "These men and women have proven to be
the best workers we could employ," Smith said. "I'm very pleased with our
team's productivity and work ethic."
Employees have access to a continued education and training program,
competitive pay and benefits, including quality medical and dental plans, a
401(k) plan, life insurance, and generous vacation and holiday time. The
plant features a large cafeteria, an exercise room and locker rooms for
employees.
Since 1992, New Center stamping has increased its large press capacity,
expanding its processing capabilities and developing a work force to better
serve its customers' short run needs.
The plant has established itself as a leading supplier of Class A
stampings, large industrial stampings, weldments and assemblies for the
service parts industry.
Smith hopes to expand, adding at least 40 to 50 jobs within the next year.