Bridgend — Ford Motors’ engine plant in Bridgend in South Wales is set to close in September of 2020, with the loss of 1,700 jobs.…
Bridgend
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Ford Motors’ engine plant in Bridgend in South Wales is set to close in September of 2020, with the loss of 1,700 jobs. The company cited declining sales of gasoline engines and the end of a contract with Jaguar Land Rover for the closure.
Ford’s European president, Stuart Rowley, said «changing customer demand and cost disadvantages, plus an absence of additional engine models for Bridgend going forward make the plant economically unsustainable in the years ahead,» reports CTV News Canada.
Union officials were told of the plan at a meeting with Ford bosses that included an offer of redeployment. Workers were sent home with a letter explaining they would lose their jobs beginning in phases on September 25,2020, according to The BBC.
Rowley said the company will have an «enhanced separation program,» including help for employees to get new jobs or start their own businesses. Ford expects to book charges of about $650 million in relation to the closure with about two-thirds of that figure being used for employee compensation.
