KANSAS CITY, KS (KCTV) -
General Motors broke ground and began construction Tuesday on their new $600 million paint shop and other upgrades at its assembly plant in KCK.
Construction on the 450,000-square-foot paint shop, a new stamping press and efficiency enhancements at the Fairfax Assembly Plant will be completed in five major phases over the course of the next two years.
When complete, the plant will have increased by more than 15 percent to 3.7 million square feet.
"When complete, our plant will be able to continue to paint cars that have a flawless finish, while utilizing a lot less energy and resources," plant manager William Kulhanek said. "The addition of this paint shop also demonstrates GM's commitment to maintain a strong presence in the Kansas City community."
The new paint shop will also feature upgrades in technology.
GM said the upgrade is designed to cut the amount of energy required to build the cars and reduce water consumption and chemical waste at the 572-acre site.
UAW Local 31 president George Ruiz said employees are looking forward to working in one of the most advanced facilities that GM operates.
"All of our employees are pleased to know that we will be working in Kansas City for years to come," Ruiz said.
GM, one of the Kansas' largest employers, announced earlier this year that it would invest about $1.5 billion in its North American facilities in 2013.
Production at the Fairfax plant, where the company makes the Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Malibu, is not expected to be affected by the construction, the company said.
GM employs nearly 3,900 workers at the plant, which has produced more than 12 million vehicles since 1945 and currently builds one vehicle every 58 seconds.
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Construction on the 450,000-square-foot paint shop, a new stamping press and efficiency enhancements at the Fairfax Assembly Plant will be completed in five major phases over the course of the next two years.
General Motors broke ground and began construction Tuesday on their new $600 million paint shop and other upgrades at its assembly plant in KCK.
