Pontiac Stamping Plant to Get $30 Million Upgrade

After for the entire length of last year American manufacturer GM announced investment after investment, in what appeared to be a spending frenzy of grotesque proportions (compared to the repeated cries for money GM made only one year before that), the three months that have passed since the beginning of the year have been much quieter.

Until now, that is, when GM is making public its intention to retool and upgrade the Pontiac Stamping Plant in order to make it more productive. The car maker says it will spend $30 million on upgrading the existing three conventional press lines and the installation of two additional presses.

“GM continues to invest in our manufacturing operations to ensure we have the technology and equipment we need to build whatever our vehicle designers develop,” said Gerald Johnson, GM manufacturing manager.

“Orion Assembly is the primary customer for Pontiac Stamping and we know how important the launch of the Chevrolet Sonic and Buick Verano are to our customers.”

GM says that by deciding to spend more and produce more, it will be able to retain 290 hourly and salaried jobs. They will all be trained to produce the parts needed for GM's products-in-the-making, the Chevrolet Sonic and the Buick Verano.

“The men and women of UAW Local 653 know that producing high-quality parts is essential to meet the needs of our customers,” said UAW Local 653 Chairman Norm Greenfield.  “We take a lot of pride in our work and this investment is important to the future of this plant.”