Ford announces UK foundry closure

Manufacturing News, Source : TheManufacturer.com
Published : 29 Mar 2007 16:30

In a surprise announcement today, Ford said it is to close its Leamington Spa foundry with the loss of over 350 jobs.

The foundry produces brake discs, brake drums and flywheels for Ford cars and has been in operation since 1940.

While Ford claims the factory is uncompetitive, manufacturing union Amicus claims that closure will the loss of one of the company’s most competitive plants and that job losses will number 450.

National officer Roger Maddison said: "Ford are closing one of their most efficient UK plants. Again a major employer has made a decision to close a UK plant without proper consultation.

"Amicus will support any action our members decide to take in order to reverse this decision and protect UK manufacturing. Amicus will be balloting its members for strike action at the plant. If our members based at Leamington Spa vote to support industrial action, we're are also prepared to ballot for strike action across the whole of Ford UK."

The foundry, which just five years ago was the beneficiary of a £10 million investment in a new moulding line and renewal of foundry equipment including melting, moulding and fetling machinery, is due to close in July.

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