- Gradual ramp-up over the next few months before full production is resumed
- Ford global standards on social distancing and health and safety protocols in place to protect returning workforce
- Ford making its own face masks to protect employees across Europe; also providing employees with personal "care kits" upon their return to work
- Production restart plan supports Ford dealer sales sites reopening in key markets and subject to national movement restrictions
Manufacturing will resume on May 4 in a phased approach at Saarlouis Vehicle Assembly Operations and Cologne Assembly Operations and Engine Plant in Germany; Valencia Vehicle Assembly Operations in Spain; and Craiova Vehicle Assembly Operations and Engine Plant in Romania.
Production will restart at Valencia Engine Plant in Spain on May 18, while the resumption date for Ford's Dagenham and Bridgend Engine Plants in the United Kingdom will be confirmed at a later date.
"We need to prepare for a new environment once we are past the initial peak of the Coronavirus pandemic in Europe, with the key priority in our 'return to work' plan being the implementation of Ford's global standards on social distancing and strengthened health and safety protocols in the workplace. Our employees need to know that we are taking the appropriate steps to safeguard their well-being at work," said Stuart Rowley, president, Ford of Europe.
Production will start at a low level, prioritizing sold customer vehicle orders from dealers, and will gradually be ramped-up over the next few months before full production is resumed. The production plans take into account supplier readiness, national movement restrictions and, Ford dealer sales sites reopening in key markets, as well as customer demand.
"Maintaining the health of our workforce is the top priority when restarting production and returning to work at our plants," said Martin Hennig, chairman, Ford European Works Council. "Our union leaders across Europe have agreed on far-reaching measures for the best possible protection for our employees, which go beyond the nationally prescribed measures and apply to all our plants in Europe."
Source: Ford