Seating facility will serve nearby GM Flint Assembly Plant.
August 24, 2017
Edited by Robert Schoenberger Cars/Light trucks Manufacturing People/Facilities
Southfield, Michigan – Lear Corp. plans to build a new seating plant in Flint, Michigan, at General Motors’ former Buick City administration building. The plant will supply GM’s Flint Assembly Plant on a just-in-time basis.
“We appreciate the support of the State of Michigan and the City of Flint which is allowing Lear to increase manufacturing jobs in America,” says Ray Scott, Lear executive vice president and president of seating operations. “This expansion of capacity reflects the positive outlook we have for our business as well as the favorable economic climate in Michigan, and will contribute to the revitalization of Flint.”
“Since 2009, GM has invested more than $2.8 billion in Flint and we’re proud to see suppliers like Lear also commit to business in Flint,” says Tom McMillen, executive director of interior and safety, GM global purchasing and supply chain. “Lear has been a trusted partner of GM throughout its 100-years of business and earned GM’s coveted Supplier of the Year designation 16 times.”
Locating supplier plants adjacent to or nearby assembly facilities allows OEMs and suppliers to coordinate production while keeping shipping costs low. Lear will begin construction of a 160,000ft2 seat manufacturing facility this fall, with completion scheduled for early 2018. The new facility will provide jobs for about 600 workers once the plant reaches full employment. Workers will be represented by the United Automobile Workers (UAW) union.
UAW Region 1D Director Gerald Kariem says, “Lear Corp. is known for its quality products and timely production, and I’m sure the Flint site will be another winning facility.”