Transforming CAMI Assembly for EV production, in record time
Market
Automotive
Key Services
Construction
Preconstruction
Self-Perform
Steel Fabrication
Strategic Partnerships
Virtual Design & Construction
Capacity
1 million SFThe challenge
CAMI Assembly employs over 1,000 people and enjoys a long history producing automobiles in Canada for General Motors, including the Chevy Equinox for nearly two decades.
When General Motors needed to transform CAMI Assembly into the first full-scale EV manufacturing facility in Canada, they turned to Alberici to serve as the General Contractor responsible for the complete
retooling and launch of the Electrical Light Commercial Vehicle (eLCV).
Alberici’s scope included the demolition of all process equipment in the Body Shop and General Assembly plants, totaling over 1M SF of demolition.
Completed in 25 weeks, the plant today produces electric delivery vehicles for BrightDrop — GM’s first-mile/last-mile focused, transportation-technology brand.
Transforming the plant included decommissioning, demolition and civil upgrades prior to installation of new tooling systems and conveyors in the General Assembly and Body Shop areas. We coordinated pre-closure construction activities with ongoing Equinox production.
Key Facts
First full-scale EV manufacturing facility in Canada
25-week full transformation of a GM assembly plant
Zero lost-time incidents
Challenge met
During the closure, Alberici’s team performed demolition across the roughly one million SF facility. We demolished, removed and recycled more than 8,000 metric tons of concrete and 9,000 tons of steel.
We formed, reinforced and poured more than 12,000 cubic meters of new, thicker concrete floor slabs and pits. New process equipment exceeded 800 truckloads, each of which we offloaded, installed and commissioned.
We cut new wall openings and upgraded doors, upgraded power distribution, installed new piping and ventilation, enhanced life-safety systems and replaced conveyance systems and software. We installed new overhead support steel, platforms, tooling and robots.
Skilled trades peaked at more than 600 on site per day, seven days per week, and the project experienced zero lost-time incidents.
Less than seven months later, the first electric light-commercial vehicle (eLCV) rolled off the new assembly line — the BrightDrop Zevo 600.
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NextStar Energy EV Battery Plant
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