General Motors is going to be investing $1.2 billion into their Fort Wayne Assembly plant in Indiana. This plant first started assembling vehicles in 1986, and it’s reported that the hefty sum will pay for an overhaul of new technology and environmental upgrades.

Fort Wayne Assembly Plant, the main recipient of the billion-dollar overhaul.

“This investment is more evidence that the customer is at the center of every decision we make,” said Cathy Clegg, GM North America Manufacturing vice president. “Truck customers demand top quality. The upgrades at Fort Wayne Assembly will enable our team to continue delivering for them for years to come.”

The construction of the upgrades will not affect current production of the full-size trucks at the plant. They expect construction to begin in June 2015 and end by June 2017.

With the money being put into the facility, workers will be getting a new pre-treatment facility featuring thin film paint pretreatment. They will also have a new e-coat paint that will be customized to each vehicle style which results in superior coverage and curability. The plant will even have GM-patented radiant tube ovens for paint finishing, all while using less energy.

Silverados getting loaded onto trains.

The enhancements will improve the factory’s competitiveness in producing both the light and heavy duty model trucks. The new equipment will help with the many variations of the truck cab and bed. With better equipment, GM hopes to improve employee ergonomics, leading to a better quality product.

This is going to be the first part of a $5.4 billion investment project toward U.S. facilities over the next three years. GM had to close many of its plants during the recession, so this is definitely the sign of a turnaround. And isn’t it great to see an American company investing in its homeland again?