Fort Wayne ‘Perfect’ For GM Supplier Growth
Android and Avancez make components including consoles
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe plant manager for Android Industries’ Fort Wayne location says the operation is perfectly positioned to capitalize on General Motors Co.’s (NYSE: GM) growth. Android and sister company Avancez this morning announced plans to invest nearly $15 million in an Allen County expansion and add more than 300 jobs. Ángel Guillén says recent GM investments and local governments that are "easy to work with" makes Fort Wayne a prime spot for growth.
The companies stand to gain from continuing U.S. investment from GM. In January, the automaker detailed plans to invest an additional $1 billion in its U.S. manufacturing operations. In late 2016, GM said it would invest more than $127 million in its Bedford Casting Operations plant and add around 127 jobs. Months earlier, the company unveiled plans to pump more than $1 billion to double the size of its Fort Wayne Assembly plant, which employs more than 4,000 workers.
Android and Avancez make components including consoles, headliners and radiator modules. The companies say they need to increase capacity in response to increased demand from new GM contracts.
The GM suppliers say they plan to begin hiring next month for positions including engineers, maintenance technicians, material coordinators and assemblers. They plan to begin renovations in October, with hopes to complete the project by July 2018.
Guillen says there are opportunities for future additional growth in Fort Wayne.