These two videos shot from within General Motors‘ automotive trim plant in Windsor, Canada offer a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what it was like to work as an auto upholsterer for the automaker in the mid-1990’s.
The 701,000 square-foot plant, which opened in 1965 and employed about 2,250 workers, was closed and sold to Peregrine Automotive Systems shortly after these videos were shot. Before then, however, it produced seat covers and door panels for some of GM’s best-selling vehicles, including the Cadillac DeVille and Buick Regal.
For more interesting articles about auto upholstery’s past, check out our “Industry History” section.
This was an amazing Plant growing up in Detroit I had many friends in Windsor that had family members that worked there. I never got a chance to walk thru this plant, but I did at Ford and Fisher Body.
I’ve always tried to explain to my students how it all works and this video shows it.
The pride that these people had in there work was amazing. Thank You for Sharing 🙂
I forgot to mention both my Juki LU-563 came from the Ford plant that closed. Still going strong today.
Fond memories of days gone by.
Retired… So Where Are They Made Today? China…
I see a lot of tags of factory covers that say “made in Mexico”
I worked there July 11 1985
. What a great place to work,brings back great memories
Great job and awesome people to work with!
wow so many wonderful people I met there.so many great memories.and I now working in Oshawa to get my pension…
I worked there from 79 to 91 and was one of the first to take the buyout when they offered it in the contract of 1990 – I don’t see any familiar faces in the two videos – were they taken on A-Shift? – I worked B-Shift for most of my time there – I remember Greg Bensette, Mark Morin, Norval Wilson and Chris Berthiume from the Di-electric Dept., then Lila Labute, Dave McRae, Jenny Allen, Lilly Vasic and Linda Holman from Maureen Saby’s Cadillac Dept. – good times, good friends, good memories
I am so happy to see this video …was a great place to work !!
Great memories !!
1965-1996 Good times & Great memories
I worked at Trim from ’65 until ’80 when I was transferred to the Trans Plant ’80 until ’91. Great places to work. Lots of wonderful people! Great memories.
As said above, It was a great place to work, and I made some great friends there .. I put in 35 years and still miss the employees !! Just great and wonderful memories !!
I was employed at the trim plant from Oct 1965 to May 1975, and when I tried to get my 10 yr pension (had a ton of overtime which have made me eligible) was told my separation date was 1970, which is a mistake. I have many fond memories of friends/coworkers who attended my wedding. I’m not a big fan of G.M.