ASC won't buy GM Craft Centre

kwhopper89 · 11-22-2006, 08:23 AM

Supplier won't buy GM Craft Centre
ASC had considered closed plant as site to build specialized vehicles

By Barbara Wieland
Lansing State Journal

LANSING TWP. - An automotive supplier's plans to buy a shuttered General Motors Corp. plant in Lansing Township have fallen through.

A year ago, when GM announced it would end production at the Lansing Craft Centre, Southgate-based auto supplier ASC Inc. said it was considering buying that site. ASC was looking for a location where it could build vehicles under contract to auto manufacturers.

That's no longer the case, said Steven Laurain, ASC's vice president and general manager.

"Unfortunately, the new business opportunity associated with the Lansing Craft Centre did not receive approval. Therefore, ASC is no longer pursuing this option," Laurain said in an e-mailed statement.

The Craft Centre is one of three adjoining vacant GM properties in Lansing and Lansing Township.

The Craft Centre abuts the defunct Lansing Car Assembly, which closed in 2005 and is being torn down.

The Craft Centre is across from the Lansing Metal Center on Saginaw Street. The metal center ended production earlier this month.

The Craft Center and Metal Center were idled as part of GM's restructuring plan announced a year ago.

The Detroit-based automaker hasn't decided what will become of those properties, spokeswoman Janine Fruehan said.

"There's no news at this point in time," she said. "Car Assembly will continue the (demolition) process ... and there are no plans right now for the Metal Center or Craft Centre."

In January, ASC Chief Executive Officer Paul Wilbur said the Craft Centre was a leading contender in the company's search for a place to build low-volume speciality vehicles.

"The Craft Centre is close to what might be possible. It is not the ideal, but it is close," he said at the time.

The Craft Centre, where GM workers made the Chevrolet SSR, made its last vehicle in March, when about 400 people were put out of work.

With the shutdown, ASC, which supplied the plant, cut most of its work force in the Lansing area.

kwhopper89 · 02-08-2008, 10:04 AM

I just snagged some SSR button up shirts (WITH the ASC logo on the sleve) and the seller sent along a couple news articles regarding the LCC:

Looks like the Lansing Craft Centre is about to get the wrecking ball - (was somebody going to try to snag some bricks???):

Published February 6, 2008
[ From Lansing State Journal ]

Local news briefs

Board approves demolition plan

LANSING TWP. - The Lansing Township Board of Trustees late Tuesday approved demolition permits for the former General Motors Corp. Lansing Craft Centre and Metal Fabricating Plant.

Board members approved the permits on the condition that the corporation lay grass over the 168-acre site, install sidewalks on portions of Saginaw, Rosemary, Michigan and Willow streets and address drainage concerns on the property.

Township officials said demolition could begin as early as this month.

The township's Planning Commission met in January to discuss demolition plans for the factories, but tabled the issue at that time.

Some commission members didn't like GM's plan to cover the ground of the plants in crushed concrete, and voiced other concerns about fencing and the appearance of the plant sites.

The plants both went out of production in 2006.

The metal plant opened in 1952 to make jet engine components for the U.S. military. It later switched to stamping out metal parts for GM vehicles and received numerous awards for efficiency and productivity.

The Craft Centre opened in 1940.

yellow tub · 02-08-2008, 10:37 AM

Keith, congrats on the find. Did you get enough shirts to resale. If so, I'd be interested in one. let me know.

See you in KB....

Bruce

tub

kwhopper89 · 02-08-2008, 11:33 AM

I have only 1 large and 1 XL to keep - the others are small and med.- so unless you are small - sorry...

HotRodGirl · 02-08-2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwhopper89

I have only 1 large and 1 XL to keep - the others are small and med.- so unless you are small - sorry...

What's the price of the small and med's? Love em

Nice find!!!!!!

RUN ROD RUN · 02-08-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwhopper89

I have only 1 large and 1 XL to keep - the others are small and med.- so unless you are small - sorry...

I'm small size. How do I get one?

kwhopper89 · 02-08-2008, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RUN ROD RUN

I'm small size. How do I get one?

I already had you in mind!!! I ate the box of raisins that I got you for the BJ auction win - BUT, I will hang onto one for you when you get to Kingsburg. Small or Medium? Blue or Tan?

Quote:

HotRodGirl - What's the price of the small and med's? Love em Nice find!!!!!!

I'll PM you...

yellow tub · 02-08-2008, 11:55 AM

Thanks Keith,

I haven't been a small since high school...

Thanks for hte offer anyway.. If you change your mind on the lg...let me know.

Bruce

tub

RUN ROD RUN · 02-08-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwhopper89

I already had you in mind!!! I ate the box of raisins that I got you for the BJ auction win - BUT, I will hang onto one for you when you get to Kingsburg. Small or Medium? Blue or Tan?

Tan will do. Thanks

Mikeyram · 02-08-2008, 08:45 PM

I'm small too.

I would like a small blue one if you have any left. PM me with the price.