Investment advances transition of GM’s entire footprint for an all-electric future
Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
A $45 million investment by General Motors in the Bedford Casting Operations die casting foundry was heralded as a recognition of the hard work and commitment to excellence by the Bedford GM workforce during an announcement Friday.
This investment will be used to expand the facility’s production capacity of EV drive unit castings to support the anticipated strong demand for the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV full-size pickups. The capacity expansion work at the facility will begin immediately.
The news follows a $51 million investment in 2021 to install new equipment that supports drive unit castings production for the Chevrolet Silverado EV and other casting applications.
Last year, the 1 million-square-foot site began producing electric drive unit castings that have been used in the 2022 GMC HUMMER EV pickup.
“Our Bedford operation is one of the leading aluminum die casting facilities in the world and this additional investment is really an investment in the Bedford team and their commitment to excellence,” said Phil Kienle, GM vice president of North America manufacturing and labor relations. “This investment helps build job security for our Bedford team for years to come as we continue to prepare our entire manufacturing footprint for an all-electric future.”
Top leaders of GM, UAW Local 440, International UAW and state and local leaders, including Plant Director Rob Morris, UAW Local 440 President Derek Cronin, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Bedford Mayor Sam Craig and State Sen. Eric Koch, spoke to employees and guests assembled in the die cast north area of the plant.
The entire first shift shut down for the meeting and were seated for the announcement.
Multiple times, speakers said the investment wouldn’t have been possible if not for the workforce.
“This team is building world class castings,” Kienle said.
“The diversification you have here is amazing,” said International UAW official Brian Tapp. “It’s because of your efforts that this investment is happening here.”
“I always say, government is not responsible for our progress. Government may light a path but it’s you, the hard working men and women making the sacrifices that have put our state on path to progress,” Crouch said.
The change from internal combustion engines to EV signals GM’s anticipation of consumer demand for EVs.
Doneen McDowell is GM’s manufacturing executive director of EV acceleration and transmission casting sector. She said the market will dictate how quickly GM makes the transition.
“Bedford is a unique facility, they are the only operation in GM that does die cast and they’re really good at it,” she said. “This is a very technical process and the product is foundational because they produce the castings that go in critical products.”
From the top executives, to those on the floor, enthusiasm for the investment was evident.
Jennifer Martin, industrial engineering manager at GM Bedford, said the local workforce played a critical role in GM making the investment.
“They work very hard on problem solving and making continuous improvements so we are able to get the new business,” Martin said.
Matt Orr is a UAW member and co-lead of global manufacturing systems. “It’s an exciting time to be with GM, especially going into electrification. It’s great for our community, the plant and the Local 440 to show that we are the best at what we do,” he said.
Bedford Mayor Sam Craig pointed to the investment of more than $456 million by GM in the Bedford operation since 2011.
“We are grateful they continue to choose Bedford as they enter their era of EV production, keeping our workforce and community part of their company’s mission. We are proud to partner with GM in their goals toward an electric future,” Craig said.
About GM Bedford Casting
GM’s Bedford plant opened in 1942 and is a leader in aluminum die casting capabilities. The site’s nearly 680 hourly and salaried workers manage die casting processes that produce cylinder blocks, transmission cases, structural components and drive unit housings used in Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles, according to a press release.
Most employees are represented by UAW Local 440 and IBEW Local 16.