The Economy

Cleveland-area Ford Plant Gets a Boost

Dec. 9, 2010

Automaker adding a second shift to ramp up production of its EcoBoost truck engine.

Ford Motor Co.'s embattled Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 in Brook Park, Ohio, has added a second shiftand approximately 300 jobsto accommodate increased production of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost truck engine.

The turbocharged V-6 engine will be used in the 2011 F-150 pickup.

Coinciding with the second shift, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority earlier this week announced that it has awarded Ford a five-year, 75% job-retention tax credit for the production increase at Brook Park. To qualify for the full credit, which is estimated at $4.5 million, Ford must spend $50 million in plant improvements and maintain 750 jobs at the site over eight years, according to a spokeswoman with the Ohio Department of Development.

It's been a roller-coaster ride for employees at Ford's massive Brook Park engine complex. The Cleveland Casting Plant shut down in late October, and the Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 was idle for two years until resuming productionwith a scaled-back work forcein February 2009.

The new second shift is putting some former employees from the Cleveland Casting Plant back to work, according to a report in the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.