Corporate Newsroom United States

Facility Details

Defiance Operations was founded in Defiance in 1948. The first iron was poured at the facility on August 23, 1948. From 1948 through 1991, the foundry was part of GM's Central Foundry Division. During strategic restructuring, Central Foundry became part of the new GM Powertrain group. Today, team members manufacture cylinder block and cylinder head castings for Inline 4, V6 and V8 engines used in a variety of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles.  Historically, the plant has a long-standing reputation of quality, productivity and performance.  Hourly employees are represented by UAW Local 211.

Facilities:

• Plant - 1.1 million sq. ft.
• Plant 2 West - 577,000 sq. ft.
• Plant 2 East - 316,000 sq. ft.

Year Opened

Defiance Operations was founded in Defiance in 1948. The first iron was poured at the facility on August 23, 1948. From 1948 through 1991, the foundry was part of GM's Central Foundry Division. In 1965, Plant 2 West was constructed and added 577,000 sq. ft.  In 1971, Plant 2 East construction added 316,000 sq. ft.  During strategic restructuring, Central Foundry became part of the new GM Powertrain group.

Investments

GM has invested more than $150 million in the plant since 2011.

• 2015:  $103.2 million for engine components:  $78 million for semi-permanent mold head production; $25.2 million for Gen V+ block production (5.3L truck, 6.2L truck, 6.2L car).
• 2011: $47 million investment to increase the volume of components for fuel efficient Ecotec 1.4 liter engines and the next generation of small block car and truck engines.
• 2010: $12.2 million investment to add capacity for casting, finishing and pre-machining.
• 2010: $115 million investment to produce a new generation of fuel-efficient small block truck and car engine components. The investment includes the addition of precision sand casting.
• 2010: $60 million investment to produce precision sand castings to support the new Ecotec Engine program.
• 2008: $26 million investment to produce Family 0 components to support Voltec and Turbo engines for the Chevrolet Cruze.
• 2007: $61 million investment to produce Precision Sand castings at Defiance.

Products and Production

• Defiance Operations produces cylinder block and cylinder head castings for Inline 4, V6 and V8 engines used in a variety of Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles.

Car Family:

• Ecotec 2.0/2.5L Aluminum Blocks – Chevy Impala, Malibu, Camaro; Buick Regal, Regal Tour X; Cadillac ATS, CTS, CT6
• Gen V+ 6.2L Blocks – Chevy Camaro and Corvette

Truck and SUV Family:

• Ecotec 2.5L Aluminum Blocks – Chevy Equinox, Traverse, Colorado; GMC Terrain, Acadia, Canyon
• Gen V 4.3/5.3L Blocks – Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, Silverado; GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Sierra
• Gen V+ 5.3/6.2L Blocks – Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra

Recent Awards

• 2018 – Wards 10 Best Engines – L87 Engine
• 2016 – US EPA Energy Award – Greatest Reduction – Megawatt Hour/Net Good Ton
• Professional Managers Network Awards (GM Internal) – 2017 and 2018 Best in Excellence, 2015 and 2016 – Best in People, 2014 – Best in Business.
• 2016 – Built-In-Quality Level IV Certification (GM Internal Quality Award)
• 2014 – Built-In-Quality Level III Certification (GM Internal Quality Award)
• Ohio State Energy Plan Grant – American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Targeting Industry Efficiency Program

GM State Economic Impact

• 2020 State Wages: $59,615,114.86
• 2020 Total Tax Withheld: $10,970,747.67

*Wages include hourly and salaried combined
*Total tax withheld does not include EE, SS or MED