‘It’s job security and it’s a future’: General Motors invests in improvements at the Parma plant

PARMA, Ohio (WJW) – Sounds a bit like birds. That is, if you have a species that is bright yellow, weighs several tons, and is holding a welding torch.

These robotic arms perform precision welds on a part of a car that you will probably never see.

General Motors’ metals fabrication plant in Parma has been around for nearly 75 years, and an announcement Thursday will keep it running, hopefully, for more years.

“We were rewarded with great news of an investment that helps improve our facilities, so we have press updates, an aluminum-capable system to be placed in the plant, and investment in the assembly area of ​​our factory,” said Kareem Maine, GM Parma plant manager. said.

GM is upgrading the plant to the tune of $ 46 million.

The plant makes key parts for almost all GM cars. This includes engine mounts, internal frame parts that help protect the cab from impact, roof mounts, and many other key parts that keep a car safe.

It will mean new presses and other new equipment upgrades that the company and workers say will keep the Parma plant on the cutting edge and competitive.

It is an investment that will help protect local jobs.

“It’s huge, it’s huge. We can continue to support our families. It’s job security and it’s a future, ”said Auto Workers Local 1005 President Michael Patterson.

When the Parma plant was first opened in the late 1940s, it was one of the largest of its kind, employing about 5,000 workers.

About 1,000 people work there now and there are plenty of machines, but those 1,000 unionized workers say it’s their hard work that keeps this plant ready to move into the future.

“The UAW members here, who come to work every day, do an excellent job, they are the ones who prepared us to receive investment from the corporation,” said Patterson.

Over the past three years, GM has closed a half-dozen auto plants, including the Lordstown facility, as consumer tastes have shifted toward trucks and SUVs.

The new improvements will allow the Parma plant to continue supplying parts for these vehicles.