(March 3, 2013) PORT OF HOUSTON, Texas — The first shipment of massive equipment to stamp out components for General Motors’ new full-size SUVs arrived at the Arlington Stamping Plant last week.

The four presses, pit equipment and two press beds — weighing a total of 5 million pounds — are making their way 550 miles from the Port of Houston.

GM is building a $200 million stamping facility at its Arlington Assembly plant — part of more than $531 million GM has invested there since 2009. The plant added 180 new jobs to operate three complete press lines that will make external and internal sheet metal components for the vehicle assembly plant.

Overall, GM Arlington has added 1,000 new jobs to meet demand of the current generation SUVs and to build the next generation full-size Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade SUVs. The plant directly employs 3,500 people.

Because of their size, the presses are being transported during daylight hours along a carefully planned route approved by the Texas Department of Transportation. This ensures that all roadways can safely accommodate the load. 

The route winds around Houston through several Texas communities north to Arlington. Residents in Port of Houston, Dayton, Cleveland, Conroe, Prairie View, Personville, Mexia, Joshua, Mansfield, and Arlington can witness GM adding to the rebound of American manufacturing.