A new high-speed slush skin line has been installed to support the Ford Focus program.
In time for the winter auto show season, dollars are hitting the road.
Faurecia, the sixth-largest automotive supplier world-wide, is using the proceeds of an Industrial Facilities Tax incentive from the city of Saline to make what Ray Boufford, vice president of strategic transformation for Faurecia, calls a "significant investment" at its Saline factory.
Ann Arbor SPARK helped to facilitate the deal between the manufacturer and the city of Saline. In its 1.6 million sq.ft. factory, Faurecia manufactures cockpits, instrument and door panels, and center consoles for Ford vehicles.
"Under Faurecia ownership, Saline will become a technology plant that focuses on such core technologies as injection molding, skin manufacturing and foaming operations for interior systems. Faurecia is reconfiguring the plant into a streamlined, one-piece flow operation replacing the previous lay out," Boufford says in an email.
The redesign work started when Faurecia began operations in Saline in June of 2012, and will continue over the next few years. Other upgrades include new plant floor lighting and painting the formerly brown walls white for a brighter work atmosphere.
Over the past year, Faurecia has added eight new North American locations, including four in Southeast Michigan.
"The plant will employ approximately 1,200 once the transformation is complete," Boufford says.
Sources: Ray Boufford, vice president of strategic transformation for Faurecia; Ann Arbor SPARK
Writer: Tanya Muzumdar
Image courtesy of Faurecia
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