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Ford will keep Southampton plant, vows boss

7:27am Wednesday 11th February 2009 in


FORD has given the “clearest assurance yet” that it will keep a manufacturing base in Southampton.

Ford of Europe boss John Fleming has pledged the company’s commitment to the city in a letter to Cabinet minister and Southampton Itchen MP John Denham.

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He wrote: “I remain committed to the future of Southampton. The sourcing of chassis cabs to Southampton gives the plant a meaningful and profitable manufacturing future.”

Mr Denham called this written promise the “clearest assurance yet”.

He said: “Last week’s job losses were a blow to the city. But I have always held the belief that we can keep motor manufacturing in the city.

“That’s why I have had a series of meetings and phone conferences with Ford management and worked closely with the unions at local and national level.

“Keeping the plant open is the first step in the battle to win more work for Swaythling in the future.”

Question marks over the future of Ford began in July last year when the Daily Echo exclusively published a leaked company memo which revealed that the future of the factory was under review.

The company later announced plans to cut output from 75,000 vehicles a year to just 35,000 chassis cabs, to cut jobs and to export production of the iconic Transit to Turkey.

This plan was pushed back until 2012 after a disastrous year left Ford reeling from global losses of £10.2bn – the worst in its 105-year history.

Last week the company announced that almost half of the 1,100-strong workforce was to be axed.

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Comments(20)

Big Boy says...
7:38am Wed 11 Feb 09

He wrote: “I remain committed to the future of Southampton. The sourcing of chassis cabs to Southampton gives the plant a meaningful and profitable manufacturing future.”

Yes, I am sure that John Fleming is committed to the future of Southampton, but is the Ford company! You notice that he said committed rather than confident. It would also have been nice if he had said 'the future of the Ford Plant in Southampton'. I think that the Ford workers are on a sticky wicket.

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Militant Ford Worker says...
8:39am Wed 11 Feb 09

"Don't push me into a corner" Jon Fleming told the union side at the NJNC last week " I can close the plant just like that"
Some committment!
The only plan he is committed to is transferring British jobs to Turkey and John Denham is really happy with that.
'You've got a future..you've got a future' they keep trilling. 600 of us won't have...the 400 who are left face lower pay and conditions.
Still, at least this time next year John Denham willl be looking for a new job just like ME! The spineless euro-boot licker!!

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AJF says...
10:10am Wed 11 Feb 09

I doubt that John Denham is any happier that jobs are going to Turkey than you are. Turkey is of course not in the EU so your last comment is a bit puzzling. What John Denham has done in talking to Ford and the unions is in stark contrast to Councillor Royston Smith who refused to meet the unions because of a small demonstration outside.


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Militant Ford Worker says...
10:35am Wed 11 Feb 09

AJF wrote:
I doubt that John Denham is any happier that jobs are going to Turkey than you are. Turkey is of course not in the EU so your last comment is a bit puzzling. What John Denham has done in talking to Ford and the unions is in stark contrast to Councillor Royston Smith who refused to meet the unions because of a small demonstration outside.

Is Turkey not an associate member of the EU then? I must be mistaken. Oh goody.
So if thats the case, come on John Denham - lets see an import tarrif on Turkish built vehicles NOW, or at least a quota to give real British van builders - employing British workers - like LDV and Vauxhall a bigger slice of the market.
British jobs for British workers? Thats what the boss said isn't it?

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AndyAndrews says...
11:19am Wed 11 Feb 09

Yes, Turkey has been an Associate Member of the EU for decades. Not only do the Turks have great benefits when exporting to the EU, but also hundreds and thousands of their workers have obtained unmerited residence in the UK as "self-employed" or "businessmen".

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Militant Ford Worker says...
11:25am Wed 11 Feb 09

AJF wrote:
I doubt that John Denham is any happier that jobs are going to Turkey than you are. Turkey is of course not in the EU so your last comment is a bit puzzling. What John Denham has done in talking to Ford and the unions is in stark contrast to Councillor Royston Smith who refused to meet the unions because of a small demonstration outside.

Dear Turkey,
Good news! According to our MP, John Denham, Ford has given it's "clearest assurance yet" that production of the iconic Transit Van, 'the Backbone of Britain' and European Van of the year, will be transferring to your plant at Kocaeli.
Please consider the £1.4 billion p.a worth of GDP, the 600 jobs and the £600 million worth of annual exports as a gift from the British people to the people of Turkey.
We have got plenty jobs to spare and our balance of trade has been carp for ages.
Keep up the good work supressing your Kurdish minority and in maintaining your illegal occupation of a fellow EU state in defiance of UN resolution 353.
Talking of illegal invasions, if you ever feel like invading a neighbouring country - Iraq for example - and bombing and strafing a few villages we promise to look the other way. Oh! You've done it already. I never even noticed!
Do'nt pay any attention to our Scotch whisky distillers moaning about how their Turkish export market has fallen off a Cliff since you imposed a 270% tariff on their products.
It's good to know my job is going to a country that has got the balls to stick up 2 fingers to international Law and trade agreements - we could do with you in the EU. It's a pity that I will no longer be able to afford a holiday there.
Yours sincerely,

A Militant Ford Worker,

P.S Good luck in the Eurovision Song Contest - we've got no chance!

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goard says...
11:45am Wed 11 Feb 09

I would like to think that most bloggers listen to others, and this I do. Funny enough, they give, in depth, as to how the people really feel. Not only that it shows just how Management really are not 'up front', also OUR representatives, or we would like to think so, John Denham and Royston Smith, but do they, secretly, feel that all this is not the whole situation. WHO WOULD UNDERSTAND WHEN THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN SOLD OUT OVERSEAS. Surely there has to be an uprising, eventually, at this 'sell out'? Pride in Britain has been anhilated.
Sorry, I am getting angry again - must mind my blood pressure!

goard

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southy says...
12:46pm Wed 11 Feb 09

""Mr Denham called this written promise the “clearest assurance yet”. ""
read between the lines mp denham, all fleming is doing is playing for time to see if turkey is allowed to join the EU. but i can not see them getting the vote for them to join, if turkey do manage to get in, then there be countrys leaving the EU.
so emp and mp put the max off anti-flooding import tax on turkey.

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Son of Fred says...
1:05pm Wed 11 Feb 09

From the outset of the 'Save the Transit' campaign last July when the Echo first leaked the details of the 'Chasis Cab' option, our position was that the loss of 600 panel van jobs to Turkey would be unacceptable.
Now that John Fleming has written to confirm that is the only option, it is pointless for John Denham to try and spin this as a cause for jubilation and a victory in which he,John Denham was instrumental.The reality is this disappointing outcome was never in any doubt.
He is only making himself look silly and rather weak and ineffectual too.
He may have had talks and made phome calls but in the end it didnt effect the outcome one bit. The Van is still going to Turkey and we are left with the cab.
It's a waste of time having meetings with John Fleming if all you are going to do is concur with everything he says, but I suppose Mr Fleming is a very capable and important international businessman (not too mention rather tall) and I was completely overawed by him too.
The time for talking is over and what we need to see from Mr Denham and his cabinet colleagues is action.
Tarifs and quotas are not a bad idea! Of course there are problems as we are in a customs union with Turkey but it would not be impossible as Turkey still imposes trade sanctions on us.
I prefer direct support for the retooling of the plant through subsidy and tax concessions. Lowering the rate of corporation tax from 28% to match Turkeys rate of 20% would save Ford £33mill pounds a year, all UK business would benefit from this.
It's Jobs and Industry first. There is no use in trying to spur consumer spending and in reinflating the economy with cheap credit and VAT cuts if no one has a job is it?

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Finlay says...
2:36pm Wed 11 Feb 09

Note it does not say " ... Fleming said in a 'leaked memo'"

They will push up a level of confidence in to the remaining few to keep them producing as they drip the last life blood out and head East to Ankara under the guise of some c0ck & bull incident

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Militant Ford Worker says...
3:53pm Wed 11 Feb 09

Finlay wrote:
Note it does not say " ... Fleming said in a 'leaked memo'"

They will push up a level of confidence in to the remaining few to keep them producing as they drip the last life blood out and head East to Ankara under the guise of some c0ck & bull incident
No one (with the exception of John Denham) has any confidence in the chasis cab plan resulting in a long term future for the plant.

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peter_cahill says...
3:59pm Wed 11 Feb 09

HELLO ALL,
can any ford employee at southampton please tell me whether there will be compulsary redundancies?

500 is a big number, half of the plants work force. Whats the word in the plant? are there enough volunteers?

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Militant Ford Worker says...
4:36pm Wed 11 Feb 09

peter_cahill wrote:
HELLO ALL,
can any ford employee at southampton please tell me whether there will be compulsary redundancies?

500 is a big number, half of the plants work force. Whats the word in the plant? are there enough volunteers?
Too soon to say for Ford workers as figures not out yet, however it's safe to say there will be compulsory redundancies among the contractors and many of them will be leaving with little or nothing.Ultimatley all jobs will be gone.

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Dr Alimantado says...
8:04pm Wed 11 Feb 09

goard wrote:
I would like to think that most bloggers listen to others, and this I do. Funny enough, they give, in depth, as to how the people really feel. Not only that it shows just how Management really are not 'up front', also OUR representatives, or we would like to think so, John Denham and Royston Smith, but do they, secretly, feel that all this is not the whole situation. WHO WOULD UNDERSTAND WHEN THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN SOLD OUT OVERSEAS. Surely there has to be an uprising, eventually, at this 'sell out'? Pride in Britain has been anhilated. Sorry, I am getting angry again - must mind my blood pressure! goard
Do you ever read your posts before clicking 'Add Comment'? I don't think I have ever understood one of your posts from beginning to end.

It's cool though, they are amusing due to their lack of meaning and clarity. I just hope you don't think that you are coming across as some wise social commentator on our society that has the answer to all our problems....somewher
e...in the back of that mad head.

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Edward Nygma says...
7:54am Thu 12 Feb 09

Militant Ford Worker wrote:
peter_cahill wrote: HELLO ALL, can any ford employee at southampton please tell me whether there will be compulsary redundancies? 500 is a big number, half of the plants work force. Whats the word in the plant? are there enough volunteers?
Too soon to say for Ford workers as figures not out yet, however it's safe to say there will be compulsory redundancies among the contractors and many of them will be leaving with little or nothing.Ultimatley all jobs will be gone.
Typical "Fordie" response - "it's safe to say there will be compulsory redundancies among the contractors"

Anything to save your own necks - but guess what the axe is falling among "your ranks"

Wake up and smell the coffee and get used to living in a world without your precious union.

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P. W. Ezzard says...
10:30am Thu 12 Feb 09

Turkey is a delightful country with friendly people. Militant Ford Worker should keep his sarcasm to himself. My family holiday there every year. The EU is responsible only for allowing OVER PRICED British jobs to go to Turkey, the improvement in living standards over there has been significant. Turkey offers glorious sunshine, beautiful ancient ruins, kebabs like you've never tasted them, belly dancers like you've never seen them and Turkish delight which will make your mouth water just by reading about it. Militant Ford Worker should chill out. If he really is as militant as he makes out he should surely welcome the redistribution of wealth which the EU has brought, especially to Turkey. And Turkey's invasion of Cyprus is no more illegal than Britain's invasion of Iraq. I have personally seen no evidence of Turkish suppression of the Kurds. Everyone I see over there seems to get on just fine. It's all being blown up in by the media and the likes of xenophobic little Englanders like Militant Ford Worker. The EU has done a fantastic job in rebalancing the enormous inequality of wealth. British workers are just plain greedy. They are over paid and idle. Turkish workers are hard working and need the sort of capital investment which Ford has been making for the last few years. My advice to Militant Ford Worker is don't think about lost jobs here but the happiness you will be spreading in parts of the world which sometimes have no jobs at all. The greatest benefit which using Turkish workers brings is cheaper Ford vehicles. This will hopfully be even more noticable when Turkey finally joins the EU and our Turkish fellow workers can come into Britain with equal access enjoyed by Eastern Europe.

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Big Boy says...
10:57am Thu 12 Feb 09

P. W. Ezzard - I wonder if you're in the phone book. I doubt it. Anyway an amusing article which a lot of people will take seriously.

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P. W. Ezzard says...
6:59pm Thu 12 Feb 09

HY THEre Big Boy! You're right. I'm not in the phone book. But I reckon you quickly got my number! Glad you saw the funny side. Sounds like you have a brain. Most people don't. I hope people do take my article seriously. Losing British manufacturing jobs is a very serious business. After the Tories destroyed the bulk of our manufacturing base by implementing various EU Directives, Maggie said we could flourish as a "service nation". Now our borders with the EU are wide open and nobody knows the extent of cheap EU labour which has come in. That's pretty amusing really because our service base is being wiped out too. I wonder wot happens when a nation loses a critical number of jobs?

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Southampton boy says...
5:55pm Sat 14 Feb 09

No good news even Sints will be going South next season nothing but bad news, I still don't understand how in December 2007 JF can stay that Southampton Plant will make 1/3 of the whole EU profit "this was reported to be +£900m" for that Tax year 2007-2008 so Southampton Plat must of made a profit of +£300 and he is saying that we want from this to making loss!! the plant bult just over 75,000 units we should have built just over 85,000 units, we lost 10,000 units or more so may be this is the lost he is talking about we shoud have made +£400m profit, some of this was due to parts shortages as the the management decided to supply Turkey first and not Southampton.

To end I do hope that Southampton Plant stay open even if it is just C/Cab its something not a lot but something

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jane1243 says...
5:30pm Wed 18 Feb 09

Edward Nygma wrote:
Militant Ford Worker wrote:
peter_cahill wrote: HELLO ALL, can any ford employee at southampton please tell me whether there will be compulsary redundancies? 500 is a big number, half of the plants work force. Whats the word in the plant? are there enough volunteers?
Too soon to say for Ford workers as figures not out yet, however it's safe to say there will be compulsory redundancies among the contractors and many of them will be leaving with little or nothing.Ultimatley all jobs will be gone.
Typical "Fordie" response - "it's safe to say there will be compulsory redundancies among the contractors" Anything to save your own necks - but guess what the axe is falling among "your ranks" Wake up and smell the coffee and get used to living in a world without your precious union.
Seriously if you could save your own back/family from losing there home would you not do that?? Of course a company will make contract workers redundant before permanent employees it makes business sense. To be honest I don't really think anyone is in a position to be critising ford workers when there livelihoods are at stake.

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