Mogi assures expansion of GM
Valor Econômico
At the end of 1999, General Motors opened, in Mogi das Cruzes (SP), in the region of Alto Tietê, a plant exclusively dedicated to the production of stamped parts for the aftermarket of cars that were discontinued. It was used to assist the owners of old Monzas and Chevettes that needed to repair the cars. With the expansion of the market of new cars, the lines of Mogi developed a new inclination: they started producing stamped parts, such as doors, hoods and fenders, for regular production vehicles as well. It was a means found to relieve the sister plants, asphyxiated by growth of the demand.
The operation of Mogi is an example of where the creativity of the car maker can get when the sales grow. Several makers have developed methods to increase the pace of production before investing in industrial expansion. GM itself usually carries cars from one plant to another for the finishing of the painting. The solution found in Mogi das Cruzes is unique in the world map of manufacture of General Motors. When it was inaugurated, the operation seemed doomed to be an eternal producer of parts for the old models that were discontinued. And, indeed, that is what it was until three years ago.
The biggest advantage of using the facilities of Mogi to help in the assembling process of other plants is the location. The industrial building sits between two major GM plants - São José dos Campos, in the region of Vale do Paraíba, and São Caetano do Sul, in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo called ABC - and it also neighbors the road beltway: 10 kilometers separated it from the road being built to relieve the traffic of trucks that cross the urban centers of São Paulo. It produces parts that will join others to assemble cars in São José dos Campos, 58 kilometers far from Mogi, and also in São Caetano do Sul, 50 kilometers away. The movement of components has been growing. According to Francisco Torrez, manufacturing manager, the volume of trips increased four times since 2008.
In 2010, 10.1 million parts left the plant, representing growth of nearly 19% compared to 2009. The goal for 2011 is to get to 10.6 million parts. It is a major jump for a company that was born with the annual production of 1.5 million parts. The 837 workers of the production take turns in two to three shifts, depending on the area. GM has opened more jobs in the unit and it plans to get to 2011 with a total of 1.2 thousand workers including its own staff and outsourced personnel. A complement, however, is still missing: Like all plants of the maker in the country, the employees of Mogi will gain a club. The recreation area of 7.5 thousand meters, with a barbeque place, beside the plant, is already almost ready.