Ford Bridgend Engine Plant will close from wednesday for at least a month due to the coronavirus with employees getting basic pay. "Due to the dramatic impact this ongoing crisis is having on the European market and the supplier industry, we have decided to bring forward part of the summer shutdown period for our UK operations to the Easter period," said a Ford statement. Car dealers want … [Read more...]
Breathing new life into Ford Bridgend Engine Plant
Ford Bridgend Engine Plant may be ordered to make components for medical ventilators in the UK Government's fight against the coronavirus. The 1.1 million sqft plant is due to close at the end of this year and it's stopped making Ford engines but continues assembling petrol engines for Jaguar Land Rover and the disease has hit already flagging car sales so there is a lot of production capacity … [Read more...]
Low demand cited for Ford Bridgend closure
A drop in orders and not Brexit was behind the decision to close Ford Bridgend Engine Plant, MPs were told. Ford European boss Steven Armstrong told MPs that leaving the EU is "not the reason" behind the closure. Ford announced last month that the plant in south Wales would close in 2020 with the loss of 1,700 jobs. Mr Armstrong told MPs that a downturn in demand meant the plant was no longer … [Read more...]
Taskforce meets today over Ford closure plan
The Taskforce established by Welsh Government with the UK Government to support workers, communities and supply chain firms affected by the proposed closure of Ford’s Bridgend plant will meet for the first time this morning. The Taskforce, which is co-sponsored by Welsh Government Economy Minister Ken Skates and Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns, will be chaired by Professor Richard … [Read more...]
New car sales will stagnate this year, say makers
This year, EU car sales will stagnate at 2018 levels in terms of units sold, staying close to the 15 million new registrations mark recorded last year, according to new forecasts by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. Although 2018 was the fifth consecutive year of growth, the pace of growth has slowed down significantly over the last few years, amounting to a slight increase … [Read more...]
Job cuts to come, say Ford and Jaguar
Ford and Jaguar will be cutting jobs this year as they face severe losses. Exact numbers are not known today but last year workers at Bridgend Engine Plant were sent letters suggesting a possible voluntary redundancy programme this year after expectations of lower engine demands from vehicle assembly plants around the world. Unions in the South Wales plant said over 1,000 jobs might go and … [Read more...]
“Perfect storm” looming over Ford Bridgend plant – union
A perfect storm is developing around Ford Bridgend Engine Plant, a union official has claimed. Jeff Beck, GMB Organiser for Wales, was responding to an interview at the Geneva Motor Show now underway and where Ford’s European boss Steve Armstrong said it needed clarity over Brexit terms before it could make any further investment in South Wales petrol engine plant or it’s sister diesel plant in … [Read more...]
20M engine is today made at Ford Bridgend plant
Ford Bridgend Engine Plant this afternoon built its 20-millionth engine, exactly 37 years after the first engine was built in September 1979. Linda Cash, vice president of Manufacturing, Ford of Europe joined Bridgend Engine Plant manager, Ian Pearson, in marking the achievement saying, “Bridgend has a proud record of high-quality engine production and I’m delighted to celebrate this … [Read more...]
Investment cut at Ford Bridgend plant
Ford intends to cut back its next stage of investment in Bridgend Engine Plant. It planned to spend £180 M and safeguard 750 jobs when 250,000 Dragon petrol engines went down the lines from 2017 but a year after making the announcement, Ford said yesterday it would now put in £100 M to build 125,000 units and protect 550 jobs. Welsh Government said it would put nearly £15 M into the project … [Read more...]