SAGINAW Today, Saginaw's Metal Casting Operations opened its doors and plenty of people
took the automaker up on the offer.
Just two years ago, some were worried that Saginaw Metal Casting would close.
Now, there is hope that the facility may one day add workers.
"We are in the community, we are part of the community, how can we be involved?"
said SMCO Plant Manager Stephen Jenkins.
GM's Saginaw Metal Casting Operations showed that sense of involvement by
opening up the plant to let the public see production. Cylinder blocks and
engine heads, the heart of the engine, are made there.
"Getting people inside the plant de-mystifies what we do, shows how hard people
work in here, in a safe environment. We are running full bore so they get to see
the plant running," Jenkins said.
Crowds of people accepted the invitation to look "under the hood."
"It's a chance of a lifetime to see," said Steven Curtis.
"It was pretty nice and cool how they did it," said Emma Euler.
The company also handed out checks totaling $10,000 to three non-profit groups
in Saginaw, an indication that GM, which was in bankruptcy two years ago, is
getting healthy financially.
"All of the carmakers are running, so we do to stay in the same place. We have
to run, we are running fast, we are running better, we are getting our market
share back," Jenkins said.
GM needed government loans to buy time for its comeback.
"I voted for it and I'm convinced I was right. I know I was criticized by some
people. It helps not only the auto industry, but all the other industries they
buy from," said U.S. Representative Dale Kildee.
"My mother worked here, my father worked here, my grandfather worked here, so
it's nice to see General Motors is making a comeback," said Michael Carter of
Saginaw.
The comeback that didn't surprise Orville Curtis.
"No not really, because they've got a good product and they've got a good name,"
Curtis said.
