DaimlerChrysler Corporation Announces $1 Billion US Investment in Pillette Assembly Plant
15 June 2000
Production to End on Dodge Ram Van and Wagon After 2002 Model Year Plant to Build All-New Dodge Product Beginning in 2003 Model Year Announcement Coincides with Company's 75th Anniversary in Canada and Plant's 25th Anniversary
WINDSOR, Ontario - During groundbreaking ceremonies today, DaimlerChrysler
Corporation confirmed an approximately $1 billion US ($1.5 Billion CND) investment for the
modernization and expansion of its Pillette Assembly Plant in Windsor, Ontario,
Canada. The announcement coincides with DaimlerChrysler Canada's 75th
anniversary and Pillette Assembly's 25th anniversary.
Ground was broken for an estimated two million square-foot building, more
than tripling the present 980,000 square-foot facility. The expansion
includes the previously announced all-new $370 million (US) paint shop which
will feature new manufacturing processes designed to improve flexibility,
productivity and quality. The plant is expected to be completed by mid-2002.
"This investment clearly represents DaimlerChrysler's commitment not only
to our Canadian workforce, but to our aggressive product development plan,"
said Jim Holden, President - DaimlerChrysler Corporation. "We're very excited
about the opportunity this provides consumers, our dealers and the Pillette
employees."
This announcement is the next step in DaimlerChrysler Corporation's focus
on flexible manufacturing initiatives.
"This expansion affords DaimlerChrysler a new level of flexibility at
Pillette," said Gary L. Henson, Executive Vice President - Manufacturing,
DaimlerChrysler Corporation. "With these improvements, we not only speed up
model changeover time but have the ability to consider multiple products at
the same facility should the need ever arise."
Pillette Assembly is the latest facility to increase the flexibility of
its manufacturing operations following Toluca (Mexico) Assembly Plant, Windsor
(Canada) Assembly Plant and Sterling Heights (Michigan, USA) Assembly Plant.
It was also announced that production of the Dodge Ram Van and Wagon will
end at the Pillette facility at the conclusion of the 2002 model year.
Following a short period of downtime for model changeover, production will
begin in the summer of 2002 of a future all-new Dodge product. Details on the
product were not given at this time.
"The Dodge Ram Van and Wagon have proven to be among the most versatile
and economical in the full-size van and wagon segment for a long time," said
Jim Julow, Vice President, Dodge Division. "However, we have identified an
exciting product opportunity that makes more efficient use of the expanded
Pillette facility and will allow us to more effectively grow the Dodge brand."
"Decisions like this are made on the basis of sound business analysis and
solid economic facts," said Americus Crawford, Plant Manager, Pillette
Assembly Plant. "In addition, the new technologies, process improvements and
infrastructure upgrades are evidence of our continuing effort to improve the
quality and competitiveness of the Pillette Assembly Plant, while providing
secure employment for our Pillette employees."
"Today's announcement greatly contributes to the job security of CAW Local
444's membership and is further evidence of the solid relationship in place
between DaimlerChrysler and the Union," said National CAW President Buzz
Hargrove.
DaimlerChrysler Canada Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Ed
Brust added, "This significant investment in the future of Pillette and its
employees demonstrates DaimlerChrysler's commitment to flexible manufacturing
allowing us to bring to market industry-leading products."
The Pillette Assembly Plant opened in 1975 and has produced the Dodge Ram
Vans and Wagons since its inception. The plant currently employs 2,175
workers and produces 424 units per day on two shifts. Over 2.1 million
vehicles have been built at Pillette since 1975. For the 1999 model year,
72,482 Dodge Ram Vans and Wagons were built at Pillette.