Industryweek 2805 Ford Logo

Ford to Keep French Factory with 1,000 Jobs

Sept. 7, 2012
Ford sold the plant, which used to make transmissions, to German company HZ Holding in 2009, before buying it back in January of last year.

Ford Motor Co.  (IW 500/6) said Friday it would keep its factory in the southwestern French town of Blanquefort going with at least 1,000 jobs.

The firm's director of manufacturing for Europe, Jeff Wood, told reporters that the automaker had decided to re-commit to the plant and restore 1,000 jobs, despite financial difficulties.

Ford sold the plant, which used to make transmissions, to German company HZ Holding in 2009, before buying it back in January of last year.

Unions say the plant employed around 1,200 people in December but now only has 250 active workers.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2012

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Why DataOps may be the key to unlocking the full potential of digital transformation

Nov. 3, 2023
Read the 2023 market survey conducted by IndustryWeek

Discover How an Eye Tracking Study Improves Training Procedures

Oct. 29, 2023
Did you know that your training processes can be streamlined by visualizing and analyzing key skills within your employee base? Find out how we use eye tracking to capture advanced...

Powering Up Productivity: The Transformative Power of AP Automation in Manufacturing

Oct. 25, 2023
Discover how AP Automation is revolutionizing the manufacturing industry, driving efficiency, cost savings, and security. In today's world, automation is the key to staying competitive...

3D Printing a More Efficient Factory Floor

Nov. 16, 2023
Today’s additive manufacturing platforms make it simple to print a wide range of high-performing industrial parts as soon as possible and right where you need them — unlocking...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!