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Lansing Grand River Celebrates 5th Anniversary


October 2006
 Filed under: GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATE Car News | GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATE Headlines
GM's Investments in Lansing Area Top $2.5 billion in Last 5 Years
Top-Rated Lansing-Built Products Key to Cadillac's RenaissanceLansing, 2006-10-19 - Five years ago, Cadillac's renaissance as a luxury brand hit full speed with the opening of Lansing Grand River (LGR), a state-of-the-art assembly plant that showcased the latest in manufacturing technology and labor-management cooperation. Today, GM, UAW, government and community leaders gathered at the downtown Lansing landmark to praise the LGR team members for their contributions to the plant, Cadillac and the greater Lansing area.
"In five short years, LGR has gone from a promise to a success story in the automotive industry," said Joe Spielman, vice president of GM North America Assembly and Stamping Operations. "Through dedication and hard work, the team at LGR proved that GM could produce world-class products that are cutting edge in design and technology and world class in quality and performance."

GM Impact on Lansing

Built and expanded at a cost of $707 million, Lansing Grand River also represents a renewed commitment by GM to the Lansing area. Since the plant's opening, GM has invested $330 million in a regional stamping center and $1.5 billion to build the Lansing Delta Township assembly plant, which starts producing crossover vehicles this fall. With more than 6,000 employees, GM's Lansing area annual payroll tops $500 million, with employees contributing $1 million out of their own pockets to charities and other causes.

The greatest return on investment GM has received to date is satisfied customers. LGR, which produces the Cadillac CTS, CTS-V, STS, STS-V and SRX, has been the recipient of numerous awards during the last five years. The site has been ranked the most productive luxury car plant in North America in 2003, 2004 and 2005, according to the annual Harbour Report on productivity. Additionally, J.D. Power and Associates bestowed its Silver Plant Award on Lansing Grand River in 2003 and the Gold Plant Award in 2004 for having the highest initial quality of all assembly operations in North and South America

"The top-quality, high productivity accomplishments of the UAW workforce at Lansing Grand River demonstrate that a high-road strategy - with good wages, job security and a strong union contract - is a proven path to success in today's global economy," said UAW Vice President Cal Rapson, who directs the union's General Motors Department.

Lansing Grand River's Contributions

Phil Kienle, LGR Plant Manager, added, "The success of Lansing Grand River depends on engaging the hearts and minds of all team members in order to improve our business and our community. Our manufacturing system stresses the value of teamwork because every person, in every position, has a lot to offer."

That teamwork extends to the community, where employees contribute time and money. In the last five years, Lansing Grand River employees have contributed - through wages and charitable donations - $660 million to the local economy.

"Every team member is highly trained and a leader in his or her own right," said Art Baker, Shop Chairman, UAW Local 652. "The leadership we practice in our community shows up in our products."

Role in Cadillac Renaissance

Lansing Grand River's role in the renaissance of the Cadillac brand also cannot be overlooked, said Jim Taylor, general manager of Cadillac.

"The plant has been instrumental in Cadillac's success," Taylor said. "Top-notch manufacturing is a core aspect of the finest luxury auto brands. Precise quality and craftsmanship were the founding principles of Cadillac in 1902. Lansing Grand River extends that tradition into the future."

For instance, the 2007 SRX sports a completely redesigned interior and the STS-V features leather interior components that are cut, sewn and wrapped by hand.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 327,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com

Source: General Motors Corp.

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