‘Very dangerous situation’

Unite Wales has today (September 6) expressed its grave concerns for the future of Ford’s Bridgend engine plant. This follows the company’s decision to halve the plant’s proposed production of its dragon engine and a significant reduction in the company’s planned investment in the site.

“Today’s news is deeply concerning and must raise serious questions over Ford’s long-term commitment to Bridgend,” said Unite Wales secretary Andy Richards. “The halving of production of the new dragon engine combined with pre-planned reductions in other volumes on site places the plant in a very dangerous situation.

“Strategic decisions such as these are not made overnight,” he added. “It is Unite’s view that this is all part of a long-term restructuring plan across Ford’s global operations in which its Bridgend operations are to be slowly dismantled.

“Unite Wales has been raising these concerns with Welsh government ministers for a number of years and they have been very supportive in trying to secure a long-term future for Ford Bridgend,” Richards noted. “Indeed they backed production of the dragon engine with a significant financial support package.

“Today’s decision will have been made by its board in Detroit and that is where urgent questions must be raised as to the company’s long-term commitment to its UK operations and its loyal and world class workforce here”.