News file/Bernard TroncaleHonda Pilots move down the assembly line at the automaker's Lincoln plant.
BIRMINGHAM -- Honda plans to invest an additional $115 million and fill 50 new positions in its Alabama operations, the automaker is telling employees today during meetings at the Lincoln plant.
The company is also making a major change in the plant's shifts to meet growing demand. In January, the factory will move to a two-shift work schedule of four, 10-hour days per week (Monday through Thursday) for most vehicle assembly operations.
Under the new schedule, the day shift will run from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the night shift will run from 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Fridays will be open for overtime work -- another 10-hour shift -- which will be scheduled as necessary.
Honda's current day and night shifts operate on five, eight-hour days per week (Monday through Friday), leaving the weekend as the only option for overtime work.
Employees on the day and night shifts will rotate every two weeks, as they do now. In some cases, certain production departments will operate on 8-, 10- or 12-hour shifts, or keep existing schedules.
Honda employs more than 4,000 people at its $2 billion plant in Lincoln, where it produces the Odyssey minivan, Pilot SUV and Ridgeline pickup.
Including today's news, Honda has announced nearly 300 new jobs and $390 million in new investment in Lincoln since last fall to increase production capacity and prepare for the addition of the Acura MDX SUV to its assembly lines next year, among other projects.
Honda officials will request standard tax abatements for the latest infusion of money and jobs at tonight's meeting of the Talladega County Commission.
The $115 million and 50 jobs will enhance production flexibility in the plant's engine assembly operations. The money also will be used for new equipment needed to build the Pilot on Line 1; it is currently built only on Line 2, but output of the SUV will be shared by both lines starting next year.
Of the nearly 300 new jobs announced by Honda since last fall, about 150 are professional positions, and the balance are in production. The 50 announced today are production. For more information on how to apply, visit the careers page on Honda Alabama's website.