The £24 million investment announced today (Monday April 22) at Ford’s high-tech Bridgend engine plant has been warmly welcomed and supported by the Welsh Government.
Ford Bridgend is to produce a new fuel-efficient 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine and announced that employment at Bridgend will rise to 2,300 this year, the most in its 33-year history.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart said: “Welsh Government support helped secure this important project for Wales that will help safeguard and create high quality production and engineering jobs in Wales. We worked closely with Ford and I am pleased to confirm a support package covering business finance, training and infrastructure works towards this exciting programme.
“Ford has invested a total of £1.8billion in its Bridgend plant since it opened in 1980, securing new lines and products that have ensured the plant’s on-going success and sustainability. This latest investment is a strong endorsement of the calibre of the highly skilled workforce and their productivity.
“Ford’s strategic importance to the Welsh economy is also recognised by awarding it anchor company status and the Welsh Government is pleased to work in partnership with Ford to maximise the potential of their investment.
“To-day’s news is excellent for the region, for Wales and the advanced materials and manufacturing sector – one of our key economic sectors with high growth potential.
“Ford Bridgend is a prime example of how that potential is being realised with Welsh Government support.”
The Bridgend plant is the long term European production base for the new 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine. Production will start in 2014 and then ramp up over the following two years to ensure that Bridgend output is maintained at optimum capacity during this period. It will be built alongside the 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine, which was introduced in 2011. EcoBoost technology delivers the power of a larger engine with smaller unit fuel consumption.
Ford of Britain managing director, Mark Ovenden, said: “The Welsh Government has greatly assisted in maximising the full potential of Ford’s own investment in Bridgend and we are pleased to meet today with the Welsh First Minister and the Business Minister to recognise this successful partnership.”
Ford Bridgend produces 2,668 four-cylinder engines each day, with exports to Spain, Sweden, Germany, Russia, Belgium and the USA. This delivers an annual export value of £1.5billion when combined with other Ford UK operations.