GM Invests $14 Million for New Press at Parma, Ohio

PARMA, OH--March 4, 2014: General Motors will invest $14 million at the Parma Metal Center in Northeast Ohio to support the installation of a progressive press that can eventually be used for both die tryout and regular parts production.

Startup is scheduled for late this year or early 2015. The new press will help Parma enhance product quality and productivity in support of its many customers across North America.

“People are the foundation of our business. We have a great team, and we all look forward to this opportunity to again prove that we are one team, one goal and world class as we serve the customers who purchase our cars, trucks and crossovers,” said Parma Plant Manager Al McLaughlin.

The GM Parma Metal Center is emerging as one of GM’s premier metal stamping and assembly operations in North America. Since 2009, GM has invested about $120 million for improvements and upgrades at the 2.3-million-square-foot facility.

Parma supports vehicle builds at 13 GM assembly plants in North America and other customers, supplying 67 million parts last year.

“On behalf of the shop committee and the membership, we appreciate the opportunity and the confidence that the UAW-GM joint leadership team has in us for building a brighter future at Parma,” said UAW Local 1005 Shop Chairman Bruno Razov.

Other recent major investments at Parma include $20 million to support the build of the next-generation Chevrolet Cruze at the Lordstown (Ohio) Complex; $25 million for the installation of multi-flex assembly cells, which are robotic platforms that can produce multiple vehicle parts in each cell; and $20 million for various press room upgrades.

The Parma Metal Center processes more than 1,000 tons of steel per production day and supports about 40 customers, including plants that produce the majority of GM vehicles produced in North America. Parma has more than 1,400 total dies and is capable of producing up to 100 million parts per year.

In 2013, Parma was at the forefront of supporting the most aggressive and successful launch year in GM history. Opened in 1948, today Parma employs 1,400 hourly and salaried team members.

Parma’s overall manufacturing processes include small, medium, and large transfer press lines, high-speed progressive presses, a world-class cut-to-length shear line, and GM North America’s largest stand-alone, multi-cell, resistance welding metal assembly operations.