December GM Shutdown: A Successful Outcome

The GM Shutdown in December was a project that involved key upgrades and adjustments across multiple zones at the Oshawa GM plant. 

Despite facing several challenges, the team successfully completed the work ahead of schedule and exceeded GM’s expectations.

 

Scope of Work

Zones: DH, AG, XA, RA

 

Key Tasks:

• Relocation and addition of robots

• Adding electrical sensors to automation equipment

• Retrofitting cells with bin loaders

• Installing power, compressed air, and weld water systems

 

Manpower

• Electrical Team: 70 workers, 10 supervisors (rotating 2/12-hour shifts)

• Mechanical Team: 12 workers, 2 supervisors

• No site Conti support during the shutdown

 

Challenges

• GM canceled a large portion of the work 7 days before, then reinstated it 5 days later

• 12-hour stand-down due to a helicopter lift for an unrelated project

 

Highlights

• Completed installation ahead of schedule

• Turned over large cells before the red tag deadline

“I want to personally thank each one of your team members for their contributions to a difficult and very successful Oshawa ShutDown. Your team were well coordinated and cross-shift informed, worked quickly and safely such that Plan/Conti/IICC exceeded our planned schedules. Your team exceeded my expectations.”

- Ed Driscoll (GM)

Despite last-minute changes and delays, the team delivered key milestones ahead of schedule and earned positive feedback from GM, marking this project a success.

Thank you to everyone who was involved!