WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO
General Motors MFD & TDO operations
Plant HistoryIn 1935 the Fisher Body Plant was built plant to produce automotive parts. During WWII, the plant manufactured aircraft and tank parts, anti-aircraft guns, and naval gun breech housings. From 1951-53, during the Korean conflict, a portion of the plant was converted to tank parts. In 1984 GM reorganized, and the plant became part of Chevrolet-Pontiac-GM of Canada Car Group. The plant realigned with GM’s Cadillac/Luxury Car Division in 1992. Then in 1994, it became part of MFD, when the division was formed.
MFD is 1,834,000 square feet and has approximately 2,000 hourly and 200 salary employees.
General Motors Metal Fabricating Division is a metal parts plant with an extremely aggressive modernization plan employing the very latest technology in Stamping Presses, Automation, and Material Handling Systems.
The facility is also a world class Tool & Die center responsible for building new dies for many GM product sites.
UAW Local 730 Local History On March 21, 1941 The Grand Rapids Stamping Division became the 75th organized GM plant. The workers were represented by UAW Local 730. Leading the drive was Robert Bates and Leonard Woodcock who later became an International President and United States Ambassador to China. Many of past and current union leadership hold Regional and International appointed positions.The Local’s union hall was named for longtime Shop Chairman Charlie
VanderWater.UAW Local 730 Past Presidents & Shop Chairmen
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SHOP CHAIRMEN |
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| 2008- Greg Golembiewski | 2006- Steve Rop |
| 2005-2008 Barb Henderson | 2004-2006 Louie Schreuder |
| 2002-2005 Don Southwell | 2001-2004Mike Mansfield |
| 1999-2002 Don Southwell | 1999-2002 Tom Ford |
| 1996-1999 Bonni Reffitt | 1996-1999 Tom Ford |
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1993-1996 Bonni Reffitt |
1994-1996 Duane Herman |
| 1990-1993 Dean O Garn | 1990-1994 Larry Smith |
| 1987-1990 Don Byle | 1987-1990 John Peterman |
| 1984-1987 Don Byle | 1984-1987 Barry Baldwin |
| 1981-1984 Karl Dyksterhouse | 1981-1984 Dan Tebo |
| 1978-1981 Karl Dyksterhouse | 1979 -1981 Mel VanDerWarf |
| 1975-1978 Thomas Newell | 1976-1979 Marcus Stowe |
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1973-1975 Thomas Newell |
1973-1976 Marcus Stowe |
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1969-1973 Jesse Knapp |
1966-1973 Charlie VandeWater |
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1966-1969 Jesse Knapp |
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1962-1966 Harold Dawson |
1964-1966 Ed Poter |
| 1961-1962 Loren Pitsch | 1961-1964 Charlie VandeWater |
| 1959-1961 Arthur Heimer | 1959-1961 Loree Glover |
| 1956-1959 Ed Tilma | 1955 Paul Blake |
| 1953-1956 Ed Tilma | 1945-1946 Charlie VandeWater |
| 1945-1946 Ed Tilma | 1941 Major W. Seery |
| 1945-1948 Frank Boersma | |
| 1941-1945 Frank Boersma | |
| 1941 Fred Haumam |
Please contact us if you have corrections or additional information.