Type
Closure
Country
United Kingdom
Region
West Midlands; Herefordshire; Worcestershire and Warwickshire
Location of affected unit(s)
Leamington Spa
Sector
Manufacturing
Manufacture For Transport Equipment
Manufacture Of Motor Vehicles, Trailers And Semi-Trailers
29.1 - Manufacture of motor vehicles

365 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
30 March 2007
Employment effect (start)
2 April 2007
Foreseen end date
31 July 2007

Description

Ford has said it is to close a foundry in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, with the loss of 365 jobs. The facility, which makes parts for the firm's vehicles, will shut in July after the company decided it had become too uncompetitive. Ford said there would be no compulsory lay-offs, but unions said it would support 'any action' its members decided to take in response. Ford has cut back its interests in the UK over a number of years. Jaguar ended production at its Brown's Lane plant in Coventry in 2006, while luxury UK carmaker Aston Martin was recently sold to a consortium headed by former rally driver Dave Richards for 479 million GBP. Warwickshire County Council added that while its was 'certainly a blow' for workers at the plant it would ensure training opportunities and advice were available as quickly as possible for those affected. Union officials condemned the decision, saying the plant was one of Ford's most efficient operations in the UK. Ford has suffered serious financial problems in the US amid falling sales.


Sources

  • 30 March 2007: BBC Website

Citation

Eurofound (2007), Ford, Closure in United Kingdom, factsheet number 65190, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/65190.