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Carmaker, Ford, says it is closing five of its plants across Europe and selling another one. The move, which is leading to the sack of 12,000 people, will is part of the company’s plans to streamline its business by end of 2020.
The company said Dunton in the UK would be the home for its commercial vehicles business in Europe.
The plants up for closure include:
- The Bridgend Engine Plant in south Wales
- Ford Aquitaine Industries Transmission Plant in France
- Naberezhnye Chelny Assembly
- St Petersburg Assembly
- Elabuga Engine Plant in Russia
While it is selling the Kechnec Transmission Plant in Slovakia to Magna, Ford is also carrying out shift reductions at its assembly plants in Saarlouis, Germany, and Valencia, Spain.
Ford currently employs 51,000 people in Europe through directly owned operations and joint ventures.
The company explained that of the 12,000 jobs affected, 2,000 were salaried roles, which are among the previously announced 7,000 salaried jobs that are being cut worldwide .
It said it hoped to achieved most of the cutbacks through voluntary redundancy.
“Separating employees and closing plants are the hardest decisions we make, and in recognition of the effect on families and communities, we are providing support to ease the impact,” said Stuart Rowley, president of Ford of Europe.
“We are grateful for the ongoing consultations with our works councils, trade union partners and elected representatives.
“Together, we are moving forward and focused on building a long-term sustainable future for our business in Europe.”