- GENERAL DYNAMICS
OPENS TANK COMPONENT MANUFACTURING AREA -

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. -- General Dynamics Land Systems held an opening ceremony today for its new tank component manufacturing area at its facility in Muskegon, Michigan.

Speakers at the ceremony included U.S. Senator Carl Levin; U.S. Representative Peter Hoekstra; Supervisor Muskegon Township, Michigan, P. Don Aley; General Dynamics corporate executive vice president Gordon R. England; and General Dynamics Land Systems president Arthur J. Veitch.

"This is another phase of our expansion in Muskegon," said Veitch. "The tank component manufacturing line will help us reduce program costs while providing an excellent location for the machinery removed from the Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant. While the setup will not be complete until June, this ceremony recognizes the start-up of the first machines recently relocated to Muskegon."

More than sixty workers hired locally or recalled will begin manufacturing components for the Abrams M1A2 tank on 108 machines as the Muskegon plant transitions to full production by June 1997. The plant has 260 workers who support the build of diesel engines for military combat vehicles in the United States and overseas.

The state-of-the-art manufacturing line, when complete, will have computer controlled machines, support equipment, and an overhead crane system. The relocation of machines, environmental cleanup, and other improvements are an investment of more than $21 million in the Muskegon facility. "We have been on a fast track since September, and our accomplishments could not have been possible without the cooperation of the excellent work force and UAW leadership," reports Charles M. Hall, vice president Production and Delivery. The economic impact to the community of General Dynamics’ tank component manufacturing is estimated to be more than $12 million per year.

Opening of the tank component manufacturing area continues expansion and improvement of the former Teledyne Vehicle Systems facility purchased by General Dynamics Land Systems in March 1996. In July 1996 General Dynamics announced that some of its $1.3 billion multi-year M1A2 Abrams tank production contract would be performed in Muskegon. When these improvements are complete in June 1997, General Dynamics will employ almost 400 people in Muskegon.

General Dynamics Land Systems is a world leader in the development, production, integration, and support of armored vehicles and electronic systems. Its 3,400 employees operate plants and facilities in seven states and at three international locations. More information about General Dynamics Land Systems can be found on the Internet at http://www.gdls.com.

###

LS-97-8
3/25/97