OREANDA-NEWS. General Motors today announced a USD 44.5 million investment to build a Logistics Optimization Center at its Lansing Grand River Assembly plant, creating 200 new jobs.

The investment will be used to build a 400,000-square-foot building adjacent to the plant to sequence and assemble parts to make manufacturing more flexible at the site. Lansing Grand River is home of the Cadillac ATS, the North American Car of the Year.

“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.”

This investment will save money and improve efficiency by leveraging available plant real estate and streamlining the flow of materials. It will reduce transportation and contribute to improved quality by reducing handling.

“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. “However, our plant could not be successful without the strong support from our local community, the city council and Mayor Virg Bernero. We’re committed to continuing world-class manufacturing performance for which we are known, and our customers demand.”

Said Mayor Bernero: “Our hometown car company has done it again with this incredible new investment at Lansing Grand River. 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.”

The plant currently builds the Cadillac ATS and the three Cadillac CTS models – sedan, coupe and wagon, as well as high-performance V-Series models of each. The CTS and ATS models have amassed a list of awards, including:
Car and Driver 10Best List for five straight years (CTS-V Sedan, Coupe and Wagon)
Consumer Reports’ most-reliable domestic car 2012 (CTS Coupe)
2013 North American Car of the Year ( ATS)
2013 Car of the Year by Esquire (ATS)
2013 Autobytel Luxury Car of the Year (ATS)
2013 Motor Press Guild Vehicle of the Year (ATS)

Lansing Grand River by the numbers
Year opened: 2001
Employees: 1,541 (1,351 hourly, 190 salaried)
Union: UAW Local 652
Facility size: 2.5 million sq. ft. on 111 acres

Recent Lansing Grand River Investments
USD 190 million announcement made in October 2010 for production of new Cadillac ATS. Investment created 600 jobs and resulted in the addition of a second shift.
USD 88 million announcement made in May 2011 for next-generation CTS.