Ford Component Manufacturing opens high volume plant

Unveiling a plaque, she said the firm's investment of up to £1 million – which will see 15 new jobs created – was a boost to the North East on the world stage, as it revealed the region's ability for high end manufacturing and creating a skilled and dedicated workforce. She was among 60 VIPs, including business leaders, who attended the opening of the 30,000 sq ft site at Silver Fox Way, New York Industrial Estate. Precision pressing and metal treatments, including components made durable and anti-corrosive using a phosphating treatments line – a first for the award winning company – will be carried out there. The plant will mainly supply Freudenberg Technical Products, a member of the German family-owned Freudenberg Group, with components for use in rubber seals used in the automotive industry. Freudenberg develops and manufactures seals, vibration control technology components, filters, non-wovens, surface treatment products and other technologies. Initially 25 staff will work at the site, producing an estimated 40 million parts per year. Addressing the guests, Mrs Arkley said: "The borough represents some of the best opportunities for inward investment and development in the UK. Ford's investment of up to £1 million in this factory reinforces the appetite for businesses to do business here. "It is good to be able to stand here and congratulate a business which is looking to the future in these hard times." Work at the plant started in January and saw production of high volume parts switch from Ford Component Manufacturing's plant at Monkton Business Park North, Hebburn, South Tyneside. The move allows the Monkton facility to concentrate on low to medium volume manufacture and laser. It creates valuable space for expansion at the Monkton site, with the hope that further jobs will be created later in the year. Ford Component Manufacturing specialises in presswork, from washers to complex parts, requiring the latest in progression tooling. Its products are used in railway rolling stock, heavy earth-moving equipment, HGVs, power generation, construction, mining, material handling, electronics and agricultural equipment. The company is part of an award-winning business which also features Ford Aerospace Limited, based at Tyne Dock, South Shields. Bosses say the dramatic expansion of Ford Components' operational capability will further cement its position as an innovative, in-demand and forward-thinking business. Company chairman Geoff Ford, MBE, welcomed dignitaries to the opening. Afterwards, he said: "This is a significant day in the long and outstanding history of Ford. I am delighted that this fantastic facility has officially opened for business. "The opening is a reflection of how well Ford continues to do and of the ambitions for growth we have. Managing Director, Mark Podmore added: "Everyone involved in Ford can be proud of this latest step and feel a sense of excitement about the opportunities that are being created." Mr Podmore said that moving high volume work from Hebburn will make Ford more versatile and allow the company to achieve its full potential. A key feature of the new plant is a sophisticated phosphate treatment line where precision pressed parts are given a final chemical finish and seal. Before they reach that stage they will be manufactured from raw materials on the latest technology presses, installed to suit any number of requirements. The site also has its own water treatment facility to ensure any liquid by-products are dealt with safely and in an environmentally-friendly way. Overall, Ford Component Manufacturing Limited and Ford Aerospace Limited currently employ 160 people.