Ford to cut 12,000 jobs across Europe and close five sites including its Bridgend engine plant
Car manufacturer Ford has announced plans to cut 12,000 jobs across its European operations by the end of 2020 as it continues to streamline its business.
The company, which employs 51,000 people across the continent, is also planning to close five European sites in total, including its engine plant at Bridgend in Wales.
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Dunton in the UK will now become the firm’s home for commercial vehicle business in Europe.
Ford said of the 12,000 roles affected, it hoped the majority of cutbacks would be achieved through voluntary redundancies.
In total, 2,000 of the jobs set to be axed are salaried, although they were among the previously announced 7,000 worldwide jobs being cut.
“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.”
It comes a month after Morning Wire revealed that Ford is also set to cut 550 office jobs at is base in Essex, which works on matters including vehicle development.
The firm is currently engaged in a global turnaround effort, with the aim of streamlining its Euoprean operations a priority, following a modest first-quarter profit of $57m (£43.9m).
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As well as its Bridgend plant in Wales, Ford is also looking to close a plant in France, three in Russia, as well as sell its Kechnec transmission plant in Slovakia to Magna.
The carmaker has also revealed plans to cut shifts at assembly plants in Saarlouis, Germany, and Valencia, Spain, as it reorganises its operations in Europe to become more “customer-focused”.