Dedication of the Allison Transmission Plant in Indianapolis, Indiana
June 10, 1999
On Friday, June 4th I was priviliged to attend the dedication of a new Indianapolis Allison Transmission plant. The factory has actually been in this location for many years located about one mile from the famous Indianapolis Speedway. What was being dedicated was an addition that is producing two special lines of transmissions.
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Allison Transmission has locked in 80% of the market of automatic bus transmissions worldwide. Market share in the United States is 95%.
The featured speaker at this event was the Chairman and CEO of General Motors, Jack Smith. The event was attended by Indiana leaders along with guests from around the United States in the automotive business. Leading officials from the United Auto Workers Union also spoke. Also present was the mayor of Indianapolis Steven Goldsmith along with community leaders in business and culture.
The dedication ceremony was impressive with the music and virtual imaging.
But, I deemed as most impressive the words of the Chairman and CEO of General Motors. He spoke about how Allison was a dying company four to five years ago and was either going to bankrupt or be taken over, but with General Motor's substantial investment, relationships built on trust, input from all quarters and commitment, Allison was able to turn around and become the success it is today. His comments were all-inclusive and gave credit to everyone working together. Chairman Smith seemed very down to earth and very personable as a man heading a corporation with sales larger than the GNP of a big percentage of the nations of the world.
Afterwards there was a special lunch for the guests. It was heartening to see Jack Smith sitting the table next to us in friendly conversation with Auto Union leaders. The striking point of this was the spirit of cooperation to focus on the success of this plant's mission which was to produce transmissions....and in the process provide jobs for thousands of people here in Indianapolis and set an example of what can be done when people set their minds to make a mission succeed.
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