Ford’s CGT union in France has welcomed last week’s confirmation by the automaker it remains committed to the objective of maintaining 1,000 jobs at its Blanquefort transmissions plant near Bordeaux.
Ford’s confirmation it will keep the objective of retaining the jobs comes as regional authorities in the Gironde region around Bordeaux also confirmed a EUR12.5m cash injection into the project that will see the site renamed Ford Aquitaine Industries from 1 August.
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“This is important for the Ford factory workers,” said a CGT statement. “The agreement signed between the public authorities and Ford Europe confirms Ford’s commitment to maintaining 1,000 jobs until 2018.
“These positive announcements are above all the result of a long, determined mobilisation to save the site and jobs.”
Ford representatives met key leaders last Friday (24 May) from the Bordeaux region at the plant to mark the launch of the new 6F35 transmission with expected annual volumes of around 160,000 units.
“Ford is committed to the objective of maintaining 1,000 employment [jobs] at the plant,” the automaker said in an emailed statement.
“As for every other Ford plant, the level of employment and its duration will depend on the market situation and the plant’s ongoing competitiveness.”
France’s economic redevelopment minister, Arnaud Montebourg, welcomed the news of both Ford and the regional authorities’ investment.
“The alliance of productive forces will guarantee the industrial future of the site under the Ford banner,” Montebourg’s department said in a statement.
“The [minister] will ensure the terms of this agreement are respected.”
Ford has invested EUR120m in the French transmissions plant ever since it took the plant back from its previous owner.
