GM to Shutter Shreveport, La. Plant by 2012

General Motors continues its restructuring process in the United States and announced workers at the Shreveport, La. production facility that they will be left out of work by 2012 as it intends to close the factory by this deadline. The assembly and stamping plants currently employ over 1,400 hourly and salaried workers, according to a report by The Detroit News, and are responsible for the production of two Hummer models, Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.

However, the American manufacturer will continue to build the Hummer H3 and H3T for an unspecified period of time, GM spokesman Chris Lee was quoted as saying by the aforementioned source but, as soon as the contracts expire, the facilities will be no longer handed new projects.

"When the products end, the plants will close," Lee said. "It's a very difficult decision impacting employees as we accelerate plans to create a leaner and stronger GM."

GM announced on June 1 the names of the plants selected for closure as part of a massive restructuring, with the American giant planning to reduce the overall count to 33 by 2012.

“Our manufacturing operations, which already are among the most productive in the industry, will emerge even leaner, stronger and more flexible, as part of the New GM,” said Gary Cowger Group Vice President of GM Global Manufacturing and Labor Relations. “Flexible manufacturing enables us to quickly respond to consumer preferences and changing market conditions.”

“As GM strengthens its aftersales business, we’re aggressively pursuing strategies that allow us to continue fast parts delivery to our dealers and distributors, and improve our warehouse capacity utilization,” said Kevin W. Williams, GMNA Vice President and General Manager, Service and Parts Operations.