Syncreon Automotive operates a 375,000 square foot distribution facility in Trotwood, Ohio that receives Chevrolet Silverado parts by rail and ships them to major US distribution centers for assembly. General Motors considers Syncreon's facility to be "world-class" and looks to replicate aspects of their operation elsewhere. Syncreon employs around 200 people from the former Delphi Needmore plant and focuses on doing business regionally to benefit local companies. Both Syncreon and Trotwood are experiencing success in the first quarter of 2012.

1. FEATURED LEADER
Kevin McDonald (far left)
and Syncreon
Automotive’s Operations Team
In the mid-2000s, GM helped drive home one of the largest economic development projects in Trotwood’s history. Representing a $32.5 million public/private
investment, this massive new warehousing facility marked the birth of an official, first-tier, international GM parts distribution center in Trotwood Commerce Park.
Nearly two years ago Syncreon Automotive was brought in to replace the facility’s original operator. Since taking over they have consolidated their working
schedule into a single-shift operation. Due to this and many other achievements, GM has expressed its pleasure with how things are going here.
“GM’s International Packaging Company (IPC) identifies us as a ‘world-class operation’,” according to Syncreon’s local Engineering Manager Kevin McDonald.
“During a recent visit to our facility one of their officials said, ‘you’re the best operation of this kind we’ve ever seen.’”
“GM’s IPC even has plans to take some of the things we’ve done here to use as cookie-cutter templates in some of their other distribution centers.”
Trotwood’s 375,000 square foot facility receives Chevy Silverado parts via a rail line that literally comes right into the facility, thanks to the foresight of County and
City officials who insisted on preserving a part of Trotwood’s historic railway.
After unloading, reorganizing and repackaging the Silverado parts, Syncreon ships them over the road to major U.S. distribution centers. Ultimately, the Silverado
parts reassembled and shipped from here reach Asia and South America, at this time specifically China and Venezuela.
“We have every part needed for building a complete Silverado right here in our plant, except for the paint,” said Kevin. “But we also have plans to expand into other
pilot platforms.”
Today, Syncreon Automotive employs roughly 200 people here in Trotwood. Most are members of Union Local 696 who used to work at the former Delphi
Needmore plant.
“Knowing how much they’d been through in this tough economy, we decided we needed to put these people back to work. And they’ve certainly proven
themselves to be solid, reliable employees.”
And Trotwood’s Syncreon officials are very big on doing business regionally, which benefits many companies in the Dayton Region. As well as feeding work to
Trotwood businesses like Slemker Automotive, Syncreon has suppliers and vendors located in Huber Heights, Tipp City and beyond.
According to a representative of Middletown-based 'N-Stock Boxing’, which is a major supplier of their specialty cardboard boxing, “We have a great working
relationship with Syncreon.”

2. “From the outset our thinking has been, ‘how can we help the region’,” said Kevin. “For anyone in the logistics business, the closer you are to our points of contact
the better off you are.”
And these days that regional approach is paying off for Trotwood’s Syncreon location.
According to Kevin, “GM is happy with our results, our employees are getting the job done, and our regional business partners are taking good care of us. We’re
even looking at making some upgrades to our operations here in the near future.”
And since first setting up shop here Syncreon has also established a strong partnership with the City of Trotwood.
”Our working relationship with the City of Trotwood is outstanding,” said Kevin. “They have been very supportive of our needs and provided help and insight on any
issue we have brought to them.”
“Things are certainly going well here, and it looks like this first quarter of 2012 is going to be very good for both Syncreon and for Trotwood.”
According to its parent company’s website, Syncreon is a ‘specialized provider of integrated logistics services to global industries. We provide supply chain
solutions designed and customized to achieve maximum flexibility and agility. We handle, process, and manage the inbound and outbound flow of materials and
products for producers and OEMs across a number of industrial sectors’. Under Automotive Services it lists ‘Production support, parts distribution, and supply
chain solutions including CKD export for (the) global automotive industry’. For more information please visit www.syncreon.com.
Syncreon Automotive is located in Trotwood Commerce Park, closest to the intersection of Olive Road and Trotwood Boulevard. For more information please
contact its Engineering Manager Kevin McDonald at (937) 854-2000, x224 or visit email kevin.mcdonald@syncreon.com.
http://www.trotwood.org/featured_leader.php