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By Dave Kinchen Friday, May 29, 2009 at 6:54 p.m.
Driving down Bay Road in Saginaw Township, you might not think one of the businesses you see there would be a parts supplier to General Motors and Delphi. Hi-Tech Optical is a smaller operation with a staff of about 50 people, but with a big contribution to the auto industry.
It produces prescription safety glasses for auto plant workers. This was also the site of Friday’s visit by US Rep. Dave Camp (R-Midland). Camp was on tour of Mid-Michigan businesses connected to the auto industry and heard the story of this company, which has developed fears over the future of their business in light of the current automotive restructuring, bankruptcy of Chrysler, a possible fate for General Motors as well.
At one point, Hi-Tech Optical made safety glasses for 40 Delphi plants. Owner Tom Ryan said nowadays it’s a different story.
“We were able to save Delphi over a million and a half dollars in their prescription eye care program. We thought we were doing everything good and beneficial for Delphi. All of the sudden, in a year our 40 plants dwindled from 40 to 35; down to 30. Today we are doing about 8 plants for Delphi,” Ryan said.
Congressman Camp said his tour of the facility was revealing.
“It’s impressive to see some of the quality work being done but really how something like safety glasses you might not think as related to the auto industry really is and how interconnected manufacturing is in this state,” Camp said.
“It’s impressive to see some of the quality work being done but really how something like safety glasses you might not think as related to the auto industry really is and how interconnected manufacturing is in this state,” Camp said.
It is that interconnectedness that is at risk with Chrysler in bankruptcy and General Motors on the brink. While touring Hi-Tech Optical, Camp talked with Ryan and other business leaders about the risks of a GM bankruptcy and the importance of restoring the Big Three to viability.
“I think certainty is very important,” Camp said. “As we look ahead, a long bankruptcy just creates more uncertainty for both consumers as well as suppliers. They can’t really wait so I think that it’s very important that if they go in, that it’s done as quickly as possible.”
Camp also met with representatives from the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce and the wind turbine industry.
“I think certainty is very important,” Camp said. “As we look ahead, a long bankruptcy just creates more uncertainty for both consumers as well as suppliers. They can’t really wait so I think that it’s very important that if they go in, that it’s done as quickly as possible.”
Camp also met with representatives from the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce and the wind turbine industry.
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