Article published October 17, 2008
Training begins at reborn Maumee factory
Teeny Guynes, right, head of human resources, addresses a worker training class at Maumee Authority Stamping.
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THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
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By JON CHAVEZ
BLADE BUSINESS WRITER
Yesterday was a new beginning, a homecoming, and a historic occasion all rolled into one for Tim Gromnicki, 62, of Swanton.
He was one of 43 former Ford Maumee Stamping plant employees who returned to their old plant on Illinois Avenue in Maumee for an extensive briefing on plans to reopen the 803,000-square-foot factory as Maumee Authority Stamping Inc., a partially employee-owned auto parts operation.
"It's nice coming back to a place where there's a lot of people you still know and like," said Mr. Gromnicki, who had been at the plant when it opened in 1974.
He and other former plant workers invested a minimum of $16,000 to help Maumee Authority Stamping prepare for customers it has yet to nail down.
"Most of these people have 30 years or more in experience," said Teeny Guynes, who came out of retirement to become Maumee Authority Stamping's head of human resources.
She held a similar position for 29 years when the plant was run by Ford.In its heyday, Ford Maumee Stamping had 1,200 employees making steel, plastic, and aluminum body panels for Ford vehicles. But it closed in late 2007 as Ford reduced its workforce.
Prior to the closing, Keith Obey, a former employee, launched the plan to keep the factory operating.
Mr. Obey, now the president of Maumee Authority Stamping, said yesterday that he remains involved in assembling a deal to acquire the plant from Ford while also trying to win contracts to produce parts, possibly starting in November.
He said an investor plans to buy the plant from Ford, and Maumee Authority Stamping will lease the plant back.
Ford spokesman Stephanie Denby confirmed that arrangement yesterday, saying that because of the tightening of the nation's credit markets, Ford opted to grant Maumee Authority Stamping a short-term lease so it can begin production as soon as possible.
The lease, terms of which were not disclosed, will allow Mr. Obey and his investors more time to arrange financing to buy the plant, she added.
Mr. Obey said he expects production to begin after the first week in November and said he has been in talks with Chrysler LLC about making parts for some of its vehicles.
He said he held discussions with Chrysler officials at the plant last week.
Chrysler spokesman Kevin McCormick said the automaker, at this point, has no contracts with Maumee Authority Stamping.
"That's not to say it won't hap-pen, but I don't have anything that confirms anything in that direction."
However, Mr. Obey expressed confidence yesterday that the plant will be making parts for a client next month.
Before that can happen, though, the plant has to be unmothballed, he said.
Yesterday, workers-owners, including former electricians, machine operators, repairmen, and others were briefed on upcoming safety training, discussed how the plant would be run, and prepared to tackle basic cleaning chores like sweeping, dusting, and painting.
Mr. Gromnicki, who in his 40 years at Ford plants held nearly every kind of job, said he doesn't mind picking up a broom or a mop.
Besides, he added, retirement just doesn't suit him. "I didn't like sitting around at all."
Contact Jon Chavez at:
jchavez@theblade.com
or 419-724-6128.
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