GM to open automated parts facility for EV vehicles in Memphis
GM has been on an investment spree as of late, with increased funding into engine manufacturing facilities like the GM Flint plant, the GM Bay City GPS plant and the GM Defiance plant. Now, GM has just announced a $20.5 million investment across three Customer Car and Aftersales (CCA) parts distribution centers, including the GM Memphis center.
The Detroit-based automaker invested a total of $14 million into the Memphis distribution center. This new funding effort will be used to create an automated parts storage and retrieval system that allows the distribution hub to prepare for electric vehicle demand growth. This automated system is expected to increase storage capacity by 11 percent, allowing more parts to be processed. In addition, this expansion will reduce the workload on current employees.
“As we continue to invest in our workforce by modernizing our warehouse operations, implementing technology allows our organization to prepare for industry growth, especially as we expand for the electric vehicle future,” said GM global vice president of Customer Care and Aftersales John Roth. “Combining the talent of our workforce with new technology, we can help minimize ergonomic stressors and reduce the physically demanding work, which will help us prepare for increased demand as we support more vehicles on the road. It can also help increase order fulfillment speed and ensure our customers continue to receive the right part, at the right place, at the right time.”
It worth noting that in this recent announcement, GM also detailed increased funding into two Michigan distribution centers, including the Ypsilanti Processing Center and Davison Road Processing Center, to the tune of $6.5 million total. Additionally, the Detroit-based automaker also provided a $10,000 grant into the philanthropic Community Impact Grant program, which strives to increase access to STEM education opportunities in the Memphis area.
