The first of three new presses is up and running at General Motors’ newest stamping facility in Arlington, Texas.
The US$200m contiguous stamping plant announced in 2012 has added 180 jobs at the automaker’s Arlington manufacturing complex – which includes a 4,500-worker large SUV assembly plant – and is one of 10 GM contiguous stamping operations globally that have started production in the last five years.
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The first ‘Arlington-stamped’ product was a 2014 Cadillac Escalade built in the assembly plant and on display at the site’s official grand opening attended by Tim Lee, GM’s global manufacturing chief who is also chairman of GM China.
The new stamping facility will produce large metal parts, such as doors, bonnets and side panels for the next generation of full-size SUVs. Arlington is the sole source of Chevrolet Tahoes, Suburbans, GMC Yukons and Cadillac Escalades sold globally.
Arlington currently receives stampings from several GM locations, some more than 1,000 miles away. The new stamping plant will save about US$40m in logistics costs each year.
“Arlington Stamping is the latest example in GM’s strategy to improve quality and reduce cost,” Lee said. “The money we save can be reinvested in our products and technologies that add value to our customers.”
As part of the stamping plant opening ceremony, GM, the GM Foundation and UAW leaders announced $75,000 in contributions to local charities.
