GM Makes Investment In Lansing Plant

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - General Motors is investing $44.5 million in its Lansing Grand River assembly plant and adding 200 jobs.

The company is going to build a 400,000-square-foot building adjacent to the plant. The Logistics Optimization Center will be used to sequence and assemble parts that will go into vehicles made at the plant.

"This project is the latest example of how we're doing business differently in GM today," said Christine Sitek, GM North America manufacturing manager. "We've developed an innovative material strategy that increases efficiency and improves quality to benefit our customers, employees and the bottom line."

GM and other carmakers are searching for ways to make their manufacturing systems more flexible.

"This investment was earned through the quality and flexibility that has been a hallmark of Lansing Grand River since it opened in 2001," said Lansing Regional Plant Manager Tony Francavilla.

GM hopes to have the new building open by 2014. No how many of the new jobs will be new hires, and how many will be workers brought back from layoff.

Lansing Grand River employs about 1500 workers on two shifts. It currently builds the Cadillac ATS and DTS, and is expected to add production of the Chevrolet Camaro.

"Our hometown car company has done it again with this incredible new investment at Lansing Grand River," said Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero. "GM is building the best autos in the world and we are thrilled to be a key part of their strategy to compete and win in the global marketplace."

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