General Motors has just added to a string of new investments in the U.S. by announcing plans to start construction next week on a $200 million stamping facility next to the company’s assembly plant in Arlington, Texas between Dallas and Fort Worth.
GM and the United Auto Workers Union said the move will create approximately 180 new jobs – that announcement following word this week that manufacturers including Chrysler, Honda and Volkswagen will be adding nearly 2,000 jobs of their own (For that story, Click Here.).
The new GM stamping plant will produce major components for the next generation of full-size Chevrolet Tahoes, Suburbans, GMC Yukons and Cadillac Escalades. GM did not provide a target date for completion of the plant but it appears the maker hopes to have the building complete and the presses installed by the end of next year, meaning the updated versions of the Suburban and Escalade could appear in 2014.
“Our investment in GM’s Arlington plant is one more example of GM strengthening the economy and creating jobs throughout the many U.S. communities where GM does business,” said GM Manufacturing Manager Larry Zahner.
Currently, Arlington receives stamped components shipped in from several other GM plants, with some parts coming from more than 1,000 miles away. The new facility, which comes on line in 2013, will save about $40 million a year in logistics cost. The new facility is in addition to a $331 million investment to purchase tooling and equipment and expand the Arlington Assembly Plant that was announced along with 110 additional jobs in May 2011.
“Today’s announcement is further evidence that the U.S. auto industry is back. An important goal for the UAW is to increase the number of manufacturing jobs in the United States and we are pleased that General Motors has decided to make this investment in Arlington,” said Joe Ashton, vice president of the UAW representing the GM department. “We look forward to more good news in 2012 as our workers continue to build the world’s best vehicles.”
The announcement is the first manufacturing investment by GM this year. Since June 2009, the company has announced more than $6.9 billion of investment to upgrade or expand operations in 12 states, creating or retaining more than 17,600 jobs.
“This investment is possible because of the teamwork among GM, the UAW, the Arlington community and the great State of Texas,” said Zahner. “We truly appreciate the support we have enjoyed from the Arlington community over the years.”
Earlier, this week Chrysler, Honda and Volkswagen announced plans for investments in Tennessee, Illinois and Ohio that are expected to create nearly 2,000 jobs this year.
