General Motors is committed to sourcing 100 percent of its U.S. facilities with renewable energy by 2030, leading to an all-electric, zero-emissions future. GM’s Ultium Cells LLC manufacturing facility, constructed in Lordstown, Ohio, is reflective of the organization’s commitment. Taft’s Lean Construction & Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) team, alongside selected project contractors, collaborated to execute the trailblazing project. 

The Challenge

The project involves the design and construction of a nearly three-million-square-foot plant that will mass-produce battery cells for electric vehicles. This approximately $2.3 billion manufacturing facility, a joint venture between General Motors and LG Chem of South Korea, is critical to GM’s vision of producing all-electric vehicles by 2030. The ambitious construction project came with many complexities – along with a need to maximize value and minimize waste.

Taft in Action

Taft partner Joseph A. Cleves, Jr. and his attorney team developed a ground-breaking ConsensusDocs 300 IPD Agreement that provided the organizational structure and sophisticated delivery mechanisms necessary for the project team to come together and deliver results. The agreement created a synergistic process between a team of project contractors – constructor, design professional, trade partner, and mechanical contractor – that served to increase construction productivity.

Results & Impact

At the start of the ConsensusDocs 300 IPD Agreement, two vitally important outcomes of the innovative process were tangible: elimination of waste and an increase in speed in delivery. Construction is underway, with progress being made toward the two outcomes, and is scheduled to be completed in 2021. It’s one more step toward an all-electric, zero-emissions future.