"There isn't a clear location identified in the plan for the production of the new "C" segment models scheduled to replace the Caliber, Compass and Patriot in 2013.  However, several industry experts said the Belvidere Assembly Plant is positioned in the "catbird seat" to receive the new Fiat models for that segment," stated Williams.  "We won't rest on the accolades given of our position as we always look at ways to improve our competitiveness and rest assured the level of competition will be significantly higher coming out of the recession.  Everyone is hungry and there is still excess capacity out there to fill the demand.  The same "three legged stool" involving business, public and labor that made us successful in 2005 will have to come together again."

 
The Belvidere Plant received $419 million in upgrades in 2005 and became Chrysler's flagship for its adoption of flexible manufacturing giving the plant the ability to manufacture multiple models off one assembly line.  The workers adapted to a new workplace organizational model, that the Chrysler Group called Smart manufacturing.  It increased the flexibility of the Belvidere workforce, and fostered greater creativity and innovation.  In addition several suppliers co-located on remote sites near the plant with unencumbered access along with a large sequencing operation at the site. 

 

The state of Illinois committed over $34 million in incentives and the City of Belvidere spent $2 million on road access improvements.  Mark Williams stated, "With all this in place, it will provide a great basis for the alliance of what the Chrysler Group called "Smart Manufacturing" with what the Fiat management calls "World Class Manufacturing."


 Pictured Above: Belvidere Assembly Plant

Acument Global Technologies, parent company to Camcar Belvidere, is currently expanding production and increasing employment at their Belvidere facility. Acument's Belvidere location is absorbing operations from other company plants that have recently closed their doors.
 
Just over a year ago, the plant's operations were under review by corporate as it looked at ways to become lean, stronger and reduce excess capacity corporate wide. As a result, the Belvidere plant became a receiver of production from other facilities within the corporate fleet.
 
Acument, a leading supplier of mechanical fastening technology, has more than doubled their shipments at the Belvidere location over the past 6 months and employment numbers are also on the rise. Belvidere Operations is also becoming the distribution center for Rochester , Indiana Operations. Recently, demands have expanded by 140% and the Belvidere Operation is also now dealing with $15-$18 million worth of products from the Wytheville Virginia plant shutdown.
 
"We are continuously looking for ways to become a lean operation and implement lean techniques,' stated Tom McGinniss, plant manager of Belvidere 's Acument Global Technologies. McGinniss says some of the techniques used are Value Stream Mapping, Operator Balance charts and Visual management".
 
In the process to become a stronger company, Acument also looked to Growth Dimensions for support and assistance.
 
"Growth Dimensions was instrumental in opening the doors for us to the State of Illinois ' various tax credit and training programs," commented McGinniss. "Growth Dimensions provided great guidance as plants were being evaluated and provided a path to saving the Belvidere plant."
 
Prior to the current changes, the Belvidere plant employed about 100 people. With the added production, employment grew to about 130 people this summer. Currently the company is employing 140 hourly and 20 salaried workers, a small portion of those employees are temporary.
 
McGinniss stressed that the employees at the Belvidere facility are a key component to the success and progress of the plant's operations. He said the workforce continues to be impressive, especially through the questionable economic times.
 
"The employees have a great amount of resilience and have done a good job at responding to the changing demands in the company," said McGinniss. They understand the marketplace and what's going on. They understand how to remain competitive. "McGinnis believes the plants expanded operations and production will continue to remain strong heading into the first quarter of 2010.
 

Mark Williams, Growth Dimensions' Executive Director was part of nine-member delegation that attended Bioenergy Days 2009 in West Sweden, in the cities of Lidköping and Trollhättan, from September 28-30. Sweden is one of the leading countries in developing and implementing fossil fuel independence, a goal they began in 2006 and will reach by 2020. Next year Bioenergy Days 2010 will be held in Rockford from  September 27-29. 
 
As with the past trade delegations, the trade mission was also a time to match Rockford area-based groups and companies with those in Sweden as well as continue to attract Swedish companies that want to locate in the United States.

 

*Pictured Above: Innovatum Science Center

Growth Dimensions extends the utmost gratitude and appreciation to Vince Castle and the General Mills company for their continued support and involvement in the organization. The company has been a solid member of the Belvidere business community and Growth Dimensions looks forward to the ongoing partnership in the years to come.