The three facilities set to close are the Genk Plant in Belgium, which was previously announced by the Dearborn-based automaker, and two UK facilities -- Ford's assembly plant in Southampton, and stamping and tooling operations in Dagenham.
A security guard locks a gate after workers left the Ford Transit Assembly Plant in Southampton, England after being told that the site will close with the loss of up to 1,500 jobs Thursday Oct. 25, 2012. Ford, which expects to lose more than $1 billion a year in Europe, has been pursuing plant closures and layoffs. (AP Photo/Chris Ison/PA)
The three facilities set to close are the Genk Plant in Belgium, which was previously announced by the Dearborn-based automaker, and two UK facilities – Ford’s assembly plant in Southampton, and stamping and tooling operations in Dagenham.
The three facilities employ 5,700 hourly and salaried people, according to Ford. The Belgium plant is expected to close in late 2014. The two UK facilities are set to close next year.
“We recognize the impact our actions will have on many employees and their families in Europe, and we will work together with all stakeholders during this necessary transformation of our business,” said Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO, in a statement.
The "planned actions," according to Ford, will reduce installed vehicle assembly capacity, excluding Russia, by 18 percent (355,000 units) and lower gross annual savings $450 million to $500 million.
Ford lost $404 million in Europe during the second quarter of this year and said it plans to lose more than $1.5 billion this year, up from $1 billion earlier this year.
In July, Bob Shanks, Ford executive vice president and chief financial officer, said the company was reviewing “all areas” of its operations in Europe “to address the near-term challenges.”
Mulally, as well as Ford of Europe Chairman and CEO Stephen Odell and Shanks are expected to provide more details of its overall transformation plan for Europe during an analyst and media call at 9 a.m. today.
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