A Joint Industry-Labor-University Cost Saving Venture

A unique partnership involving General Motors management, UAW personnel, and faculty and students at the University of Alabama was initiated to apply management science and engineering methods to manufacturing operations in a GM carburetor assembly plant in order to effect cost savings needed to make the operation profitable. GM executives expect that the research conducted in achieving the cost savings will give rise to designs for “the factory of the future” that would have application throughout General Motors. This kind of industry-university partnership could play a major role in the rejuvenation of American industry.