Two trucks transport sections of a new metal stamping press toward the Marion General Motors plant Wednesday on West Second Street. JEFF MOREHEAD / jmorehead@chronicle-tribune.com
By Maribeth Holtz, Chronicle-Tribune
mholtz@chronicle-tribune.com
Two large pieces of a General Motors metal stamping press arrived at the Marion Metal Center on Wednesday, representing expanded operations of the local plant from the Grand Rapids, Mich., facility.
The equipment was brought in by two trucks along Interstate 69 and Ind. 18, escorted by police officials because of its large size and partial blockage of traffic once it reached the plant.
The arrival had a small group of city officials standing on the roof of the Marion Municipal Building just before noon, waiting and watching.
"This particular phase is on the back of some loss in Grand Rapids, and our heart goes out to that community and that facility ..." said Darren Reese, director of development for the city of Marion. "These presses coming in represent new economic development coming into Marion, so with that, we're pleased."
The equipment, its installation and associated machinery is valued at $117 million, GM officials said earlier this year.
In July, GM announced that three additional presses totaling $247 million could be brought to the Marion Metal Center within the next two and a half years.
Alicia Kocher, GM spokeswoman for the local plant, said there is no schedule yet as to when the other equipment would arrive, and how many jobs would be transferred or added to the plant.
Last month, about 85 employees from the Grand Rapids plant transferred to the Marion plant. GM is closing several of its North American facilities; the plant in Grand Rapids closed in June.
Kocher said the press that arrived Wednesday stamps large parts, such as truck beds, fenders and hoods.
It is very long - about the length of half a football field when put together. She said additional pieces of the press will arrive within the next couple of weeks.
Kocher said the Marion plant already has a press like the new arrival, so this is the second one for the facility.
Tuesday, GM announced it would add a third shift and 700 jobs to the Fort Wayne facility by April. Most of the jobs will be transferred from elsewhere.
Kocher said the increased work at the Fort Wayne facility will have an impact on stamping facilities like Marion.
"It will end up having a domino effect on them, so eventually it could affect the stamping operation," she said.
Reese said the additional presses likely to arrive in Marion will bring growth.
"There's a significant amount of job growth with each press that comes in," he said. "What GM is ready to release is pretty conservative.... What we're seeing is a really good relationship between the Fort Wayne plant and the Marion plant, to grow the new GM."
Tim Eckerle, director of the Grant County Economic Growth Council, said it's difficult to remind people of the economic growth in the community when growth is happening in companies that are already here.
He said the press coming into Marion is a clear reminder of the good things happening economically in Grant County.
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