6 Shooter
11-17-06, 09:58 AM
GM producing two new models here
By Ryan Lengerich rlengerich@news-sentinel.com
Doug Higdon has worked at General Motors’ Fort Wayne Truck Assembly Plant in Roanoke for 21 years. After the company began production of its redesigned Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra this week, he said it was more than just local workers making a new truck.
“I won’t be able to retire for some time,” said Higdon, who works in the plant’s paint shop. He estimates it will be another 10 years before he can stop working. “It is my future; my money is on this truck.”
Detroit-based GM announced a restructuring plan last fall in the face of mounting losses. The company wants to cut 30,000 U.S. hourly workers and close 12 facilities by 2008. GM lost $10.6 billion in 2005, largely because of declining sales and rising costs in North America. The Roanoke plant is making regular- and extended-cab versions of the Silverado and Sierra and a full-size hybrid pickup. GM moved the trucks’ launch up 13 weeks in an effort to grab the year-end market. The plant is the fourth-largest employer in Allen County, behind Fort Wayne Community Schools, Parkview Health System and Lutheran Health Network.
On Wednesday, GM and area officials held a ceremony to mark the official product debut. For now, all is right in GM’s world. Employees were treated to lunch and a gift bag. Plant Manager Cathy Clegg thanked her employees. Dave Matthews, shop chairman for the UAW Local 2209, said despite tough times in the automotive industry, “Fort Wayne Assembly is constantly creating history.”
John Schwegman, marketing manager for the Silverado, showed off five television commercials featuring the truck and the John Mellencamp song “Our Country,” which has received heavy airplay during NFL, college football and World Series broadcasts. Schwegman defended the spots, which have drawn fire for their use of images from Vietnam, Hurricane Katrina and Sept. 11, as a truthful montage to the truck’s and the nation’s history. The employees applauded each video after they played.
“I think it is awesome. I think it is the truck of the future,” said Cammy Perkins who has worked on the motor line for more than a year. Curtis Greene has worked for GM for 29 years and could retire as early as March. He joked that his title is “ergonomic relief,” meaning when his co-workers engaged in repetitive and grueling work need a break, he steps in.
Though his time with the company could be nearing an end, he is comfortable the new truck means job security for the next generation of workers. “I like the whole design about it,” Greene said. “GM stepped up to the plate.”
source (http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/business/16027153.htm)
By Ryan Lengerich rlengerich@news-sentinel.com
Doug Higdon has worked at General Motors’ Fort Wayne Truck Assembly Plant in Roanoke for 21 years. After the company began production of its redesigned Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra this week, he said it was more than just local workers making a new truck.
“I won’t be able to retire for some time,” said Higdon, who works in the plant’s paint shop. He estimates it will be another 10 years before he can stop working. “It is my future; my money is on this truck.”
Detroit-based GM announced a restructuring plan last fall in the face of mounting losses. The company wants to cut 30,000 U.S. hourly workers and close 12 facilities by 2008. GM lost $10.6 billion in 2005, largely because of declining sales and rising costs in North America. The Roanoke plant is making regular- and extended-cab versions of the Silverado and Sierra and a full-size hybrid pickup. GM moved the trucks’ launch up 13 weeks in an effort to grab the year-end market. The plant is the fourth-largest employer in Allen County, behind Fort Wayne Community Schools, Parkview Health System and Lutheran Health Network.
On Wednesday, GM and area officials held a ceremony to mark the official product debut. For now, all is right in GM’s world. Employees were treated to lunch and a gift bag. Plant Manager Cathy Clegg thanked her employees. Dave Matthews, shop chairman for the UAW Local 2209, said despite tough times in the automotive industry, “Fort Wayne Assembly is constantly creating history.”
John Schwegman, marketing manager for the Silverado, showed off five television commercials featuring the truck and the John Mellencamp song “Our Country,” which has received heavy airplay during NFL, college football and World Series broadcasts. Schwegman defended the spots, which have drawn fire for their use of images from Vietnam, Hurricane Katrina and Sept. 11, as a truthful montage to the truck’s and the nation’s history. The employees applauded each video after they played.
“I think it is awesome. I think it is the truck of the future,” said Cammy Perkins who has worked on the motor line for more than a year. Curtis Greene has worked for GM for 29 years and could retire as early as March. He joked that his title is “ergonomic relief,” meaning when his co-workers engaged in repetitive and grueling work need a break, he steps in.
Though his time with the company could be nearing an end, he is comfortable the new truck means job security for the next generation of workers. “I like the whole design about it,” Greene said. “GM stepped up to the plate.”
source (http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/business/16027153.htm)