[AMC-list] Former AMC Stamping Plant in the News

[Marc Montoni <Freedom@xxxxxxxx>]

An article about a former body panel stamping plant that made parts for American Motors is online today:

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http://www.dailymail.com/Business/201202190156

Owner fielding prospects for S.C. stamping plant
by George Hohmann
Daily Mail Business Editor

The South Charleston stamping plant's 922,000-square-foot building on MacCorkle Avenue is so large a rail line runs into it. Originally used to build parts for American Motors, Volkswagen, Daimler Benz and General Motors, its owner is now seeking tenants in need of its large space rather than to stamp equipment.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The owner of the South Charleston stamping plant does not expect auto body parts to be made there again but "we're talking to a half-dozen other companies," including "some that are pretty interested" in locating in the huge building.

"It's not going to be a stamping plant," said Cleveland financier Ray Park, who owns the 922,000-square-foot building at 3100 MacCorkle Ave. SW. "We've talked to enough stamping companies around the country, we know the trend in stamping plants has gone the other way. They're putting them next to assembly plants.

"We decided a year ago at least that it won't be a stamping plant," he said.

Park bought the plant's assets for $18 million in 2006 after the previous operators went bankrupt. In May 2007, then-Gov. Joe Manchin committed a $15 million state loan to refurbish the plant and Park announced he would invest $20 million.

In late 2006 and early 2007, Park renovated the plant, reconfigured its giant presses and installed 45 state-of-the-art robots in hopes of stamping metal auto parts. He re-named the plant Charleston Stamping & Manufacturing and published a website at http://www.charlestonstamping.com that includes a video tour that showcases the robotic press line.

The robots are still in the plant, Park said. "Any time we want to sell the equipment, we could sell it."

Park has high praise for Rolland Phillips, the West Virginia Development Office's senior manager of business retention and expansion. Park and Phillips have known each other for 30 years.

"Rolland has been very helpful and the state has been helping with advertising," Park said. "They've sent some advertising to Indonesia and Japan. We're doing the same."

A year ago Phillips told the South Charleston Economic Development Authority that the state was working to join FMC Corp.'s 70-acre site in Spring Hill with the stamping plant property to provide more outside storage area. Park was asked if anything has come of that.

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The majority of parts made for AMC were Pacer sheetmetal.


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