With the newest GM plant in the world outfitted with the latest automotive technology, just-in-time delivery has a whole new meaning.

“[GM] will broadcast the vehicle, and we will build the parts and have them there within 200 minutes,” noted Mark Griswold, plant manager of Plastech Lansing. “We are going to build and sequence the parts and have them to the [Delta] assembly plant within 200 minutes—that’s with the new technology and lean manufacturing. [The GM Delta and Plastech Lansing] plants were built for this type of work. Normally suppliers take five to six hours, or sometimes one to three days. So that’s one of the unique things with this plant.”

Originally founded in 1988 with the purchase of a single existing plant in Caro, Michigan, by its current private owner, Plastech Engineered Products, Inc. now is based in Dearborn with a design center in Auburn Hills and 38 locations overall. All of the company’s facilities are located in North America, including one in Canada. Corporate wide Plastech employs around 7,600 people, while specializing in the design and manufacture of plastic injection automotive components for the interior, exterior, and under the hood. Plastech is both a tier-one and tier-two supplier.

“Most of our sales are in injection molding, but we do have blow molding, metal stamping, painting, assembly and sequencing,” Griswold explained. “That’s the whole corporation. Now Plastech Lansing, we are an injection molding facility. We have presses ranging from 18-ton to 3,300-ton. We mold, assemble and sequence components to the fascia (or the front and rear bumpers) for the Delta Township facility.”

Plastech broke ground for the new 237,000-square-foot plant on Mt. Hope Highway, just two miles from the new GM Delta plant, in November 2005 and started hiring some of the staff in January. A skeleton crew began work this past spring. Hiring through Michigan Works!, the company expects to have 150 to 180 people total by early November. The Lansing plant’s official opening is scheduled for November 14, 2006, the same as the GM Delta plant.

“Generally, most of the positions are molding operators and assembly operators,” said Griswold.

“We’re a growing, minority-owned company that is hiring local people to perform this work,” he continued. “We’re very strong in the lean manufacturing system, where we depend on the operators and the team to make decisions, and we support those decisions. We set goals and remove obstacles, and let them help with the decision making and problem solving.”

Plastech’s corporate culture is committed to creating jobs and opportunities for women, minorities and the disadvantaged, valuing a diverse workplace.

In addition to the new Delta Township site, Plastech also will be opening a plant in Monroe, Michigan. The company recently acquired facilities in Owensboro, Kentucky and Gallatin, Tennessee.

As for the Delta Township plant, in addition to the local hires, a few current Plastech employees will be moving to the area. Griswold, who has been with the company since March, is currently commuting from north of Flint, and intends to make the move himself.

“I like the area,” he stated.