Ford to Invest $500M, Add 300 Jobs at Lima Plant
LIMA, Ohio -- Ford Motor Co. announced Thursday that it will invest $500 million to upgrade its Lima Engine Plant and add 300 new jobs to support production of the all-new 2.7-liter EcoBoost engineered for the next-generation 2015 Ford F-150.
“Our truck customers have spoken, and we continue to meet their evolving needs by providing another V6 option in the all-new 2015 F-150,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president of The Americas. “The hardworking team at Lima Engine is thrilled to begin building one of the most technologically advanced engines ever designed for America’s No. 1 truck.”
Ford’s investment in Lima follows the automaker's announcement in early March that it will shift production of Ford F-650/F-750 medium-duty trucks from Mexico to its Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake early next year.
The $500 million investment at the Lima plant will go to a new flexible engine assembly system and renovation of 700,000 square feet of the facility for machining and assembly functions.
"Lima Engine has kept Ford and Lincoln vehicles running for nearly 60 years,” said Bruce Hettle, Ford vice president, North America manufacturing. “Bringing production of the new 2.7-liter EcoBoost to Lima Engine Plant helps build a solid future both for Ford and the dedicated workers in Ohio.”
The plant, which opened in 1957, employs more than 900 and is one of the largest employers in Allen County. On March 13, the 3-millionth Duratec V6 was built here, and later this year the 40-millionth engine produced at the plant will roll off the assembly line.
“The new jobs at Lima Engine Plant will be a major boost to the community, and continue F-150’s reputation as one of the most American-made vehicles,” said Jimmy Settles, UAW vice president, National Ford Department. “It’s especially exciting that these jobs will go to support a new technology like the 2.7-liter EcoBoost for the all-new F-150.”
Ford’s announcement drew bipartisan praise from Ohio’s U.S. senators.
Said U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R, “This is exciting news for Ohio workers and the Lima community. We’re proud that Ohio is the second largest auto-producing state in the entire country, and I’ll continue my work as co-chair of the Senate Auto Caucus to bring jobs to Ohio.”
On Wednesday, Portman co-hosted the official kick-off of the Senate Auto Caucus with auto companies, associations, and other groups.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D, called Ford’s $500 million investment, “welcome news for northwest Ohio workers and our state’s economy. …One in every six cars produced in the United States is made in Ohio. Ford’s investment will strengthen both our state’s proud auto industry and growing manufacturing sector.”
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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