GM announces investment at Parma Metal Center

Staff report

PARMA

General Motors said Wednesday it will invest $218 million into the Parma Metal Center to prepare the facility for future product programs.

The investment is for installation of two new progressive presses, dies and subassemblies.

Parma Metal Center processes more than 1,000 tons of steel per day and services/supports about 40 customers including the majority of General Motors North America produced vehicles like the Chevrolet Cruze produced at the GM Lordstown Assembly Plant.

Parma has more than 1,400 total dies and is capable of producing up to 100 million parts per year, including 87.6 million parts in 2015.

There are no new additional jobs anticipated with the investment, but 140 jobs will be retained. Parma employs 1,174 hourly employees and 170 salaried.

GM also announced investments at three New York state plants: Tonawanda, Rochester and Lockport for engine and component support totaling $334 million. Altogether, the investments at the four plants total $552 million.

“With these latest projects, we have announced investments of $2.2 billion in 2016, allowing us to support the production of future engines and vehicles,” said Cathy Clegg, GM North America manufacturing and labor relations vice president, in a statement.

In January, GM will cut the third shift at the Lordstown plant because of reduced consumer interest in small cars. The cut will affect 1,245 jobs at the plant and more jobs at other local suppliers.