BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP -- UAW Local 699 workers knew the sale of GM’s Nexteer Automotive facility in Buena Vista Township was coming. However it has not stopped many of union president Troy Newberry’s members from questioning their future. 

“Anytime you are going through changes, it can be scary,” he said. Yet, he is confident the right people are in place to make the best decision possible. 

“I’m sure there are a lot of people interested. We have about 60 different companies that we supply parts to,” he said. For a plant that has seen job loss before, an ownership change could mean anything from job relocation to product changes. 

“Obviously we want the work here,” Newberry said.  “We make great parts here.  Whoever buys us, hopefully their intention is to keep us here.”   General Motors released this statement regarding the sale:

GM recognizes the value of the global steering and driveline operations and seeks to realign Nexteer as a wholly independent entity, thus better positioning its business for growth among a wide range of global OEM customers.

The sales process will begin immediately.  GM intends to identify suitable potential buyers and conclude a transaction as soon as is practical.

About 2,000 workers work at the plant and many of which have gone through ownership changes before.  Last October, GM bought the former Delphi Global Steering Division.  Delphi operated the facility for ten years.  In 1999, GM transferred the facility to Delphi as part of the Delphi spin-off. 

Newberry said most people aren’t thinking about that right now.

"It's day to day as usual.  We're still putting parts out as we normally would."