ROLLING FORWARD FOR 40 YEARS

General Motors Wentzville Assembly celebrates four decades of being a stable economic engine for the region

A stable force in the region.

Those words are not often associated with automobile assembly plants. So, it goes to show what a special place General Motors Wentzville Assembly has carved out for itself in the region as it celebrates its 40th year building trucks and vans.

GM Wentzville Assembly is the global production site for the full-size van and is situated on a 440-acre site which was previously a wheat field. The facility comprises 4.25 million square feet under roof and the first vehicle off the assembly line was the Buick Park Avenue in December 1983. By September 1989 the one millionth vehicle had been built.

“We have tried to be strong partners in the community,” Lamar Rucker, Wentzville Assembly’s plant executive director, said. “It is pretty humbling. Not too many have had this length of service and it shows that (Wentzville) is a pretty significant, thriving part of GMC.”

So much so, GM provided a $1.5 billion investment in Wentzville Assembly in 2019 to upgrade the facility’s body and paint shops in preparation for manufacturing the next generation mid-size trucks. The launch of these new vehicles not only represents the re-envisioning of the products themselves, but also how their teams and crew work together.

“It shows General Motors is invested in the growth of our community by providing good paying jobs and supporting the community through philanthropy and engagement. We are honored to be part of the success of Wentzville and St. Charles County.”

Among the celebrations this year, Wentzville Mayor Nick Guccione recently presented a proclamation to both plant leadership and UAW Local 2250 representatives during the city’s Board of Alderman meeting.

During the presentation, Mayor Guccione stated, “General Motors has been an integral part of Wentzville’s growth and success for the past four decades,” Guccione said. “The city of Wentzville appreciates the partnership it has with GM and we hope it continues for many more years to come.”

In December 1995, the first full-size van was produced. Wentzville Assembly remains GM’s only global production site for Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans.

The Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize trucks began production in September 2014 with several model enhancements since inception. Wentzville Assembly launched the 2023 next generation Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon trucks in January 2023.

Employees recently celebrated with lunch and a 40th anniversary t-shirt provided to commemorate the event. They were also provided with an opportunity to read the many positive comments on display from customers across the country who have recently taken ownership of their 2023 next generation trucks.

GM Wentzville Assembly recently announced a grant specifically for advanced manufacturing programs at St. Charles Community College to expand skills-based education to keep pace with modern manufacturing facilities. St. Charles Community College was one of only seven community colleges to study and share best practices for integrating advanced manufacturing credentials into their college curriculum. Funding provided by GM will support the colleges’ efforts to expand and leverage local programs into national networks.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with St. Charles Community College and our investment in the community,” Rucker said. “Through this grant, the college can further study needs for technical training and help meet the growing demand for job-ready employees in advanced manufacturing. The next generation of hourly and salary employees are going to have a significantly different skill set.”

GM Wentzville Assembly produces the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize trucks and the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size vans. The plant currently employs over 4,000 and has employed tens of thousands since opening in 1983. It currently operates five days a week over three shifts.

With the company recently making headlines with its pledge to sell only electric passenger vehicles by 2035, Rucker said there is plenty of work in the meantime.

“I get asked about (electric vehicles) all the time,” he said. “We have a lot of trucks and vans to build by the end of the year, and nothing is more important right now.”