Flint, Mich. — Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA), a leading global supplier of automotive seating and electrical systems, celebrated the grand opening of a new manufacturing seating facility in Flint, Michigan on August 11, 2018. The event was attended by employees and their families, GM customers, City of Flint community members, Flint Mayor Karen Weaver, as well as other local government officials.
The world-class 156,000-sq.ft. facility will employ approximately 600 team members by the end of 2019, with over 400 being new hires to Lear. This facility will build seats for just-in-time delivery to the nearby General Motors Flint Assembly plant, as well as the General Motors Fort Wayne plant in Indiana.
“Flint is the definition of a community-driven city, fueled by dedicated people who are committed to making things happen,” said Ray Scott, Lear President and CEO. “I see the opening of this plant as a way to show appreciation for Flint and bring together some of the hardest-working people in Michigan, while producing innovative, highest-quality products for our customers.”
The vision for the new facility was focused on building a high-performance work team structured organization and fostering employee engagement. Plant associates will be managing many aspects of their teams, from hiring to providing quality assurance to supporting their peers.
Named GM Supplier of the Year 16 times, Lear consistently strives for efficiency, flexibility and speed, maintaining high standards for operational excellence in the plant. The plant’s state-of-the-art conveyor system utilizes Lear’s proprietary LPS (Lear Production System), which monitors all key elements of the seat.
Erasing the traditional view that plants are unattractive places to work was an area of central focus in designing the facility. From modern, employee-friendly amenities utilizing Michigan products and vendors to open meeting spaces for active employee collaboration in dynamic groups, each aspect of the facility was carefully constructed.
Waste and recycling efforts will ensure this facility is a zero waste to landfill. Additional elements that will further contribute to the plant’s environmentally friendly footprint include energy-efficient lighting and an area dedicated for green space—30-percent of the 33-plus acre site.
In keeping with the desire to give back to the communities they serve, Lear is renovating Dort Park in Flint. Updates to the park include new landscaping, picnic area, a new modern and safe play scape and asphalt walking paths.
Lear’s Flint seating plant is the first major automotive supplier manufacturing facility constructed in Flint in more than 30 years.
About Lear Corporation
Lear Corporation was founded in Detroit in 1917 as American Metal Products. Today, Lear is one of the world’s leading suppliers of automotive seating systems and electrical systems (E-Systems). Lear serves every major automaker in the world, and Lear content can be found on more than 400 vehicle nameplates. Lear’s world-class products are designed, engineered and manufactured by a diverse team of approximately 165,000 employees located in 39 countries. Lear currently ranks #148 on the Fortune 500. Lear’s headquarters are in Southfield, Michigan.
Further information about Lear is available at lear.com or follow us on Twitter @LearCorporation. Lear is where passion drives possibilities.
