GM to move presses from closed factory to Lordstown

Work on installing the stamping presses is to begin by the end of the year.

STAFF REPORT

LORDSTOWN — General Motors is spending $49 million to move two stamping presses from a closed Georgia factory to Lordstown.

The presses from Georgia will replace older equipment in Lordstown but will not result in any additional work being moved to the local factory, said Chris Lee, a GM spokesman.

The presses will produce metal parts that are used in the assembly of the Chevrolet Cobalts and Pontiac G5s that are made at the plant.

GM shut down a plant in Doraville, Ga., that produced the Buick Terraza, Pontiac Montana, Chevy Uplander and Saturn Relay minivans.

GM has been cutting production at plants that produce minivans and trucks and increasing production in Lordstown. Cobalt sales are up slightly this year, while overall vehicle sales are down.

Ben Strickland, shop chairman for United Auto Workers Local 1112 in Lordstown, said he attended a meeting of union officials recently, and most of the locals were dealing with closings and reduced production. Meanwhile, Lordstown is preparing for the launch of a new small car, the Chevrolet Cruze, in 2010.

Lee said the installation of the presses at the Lordstown plant will begin by the end of this year. He wasn’t sure how long it would take but said it would be a lengthy process. Production at the Lordstown plant would not be affected, he said. The $49 million cost includes removal work, transportation and installation, he said.