November 20th, 2008 - Geelong Advertiser
BREAKING NEWS FORD will continue operating its Geelong engine plant, saving 1300 jobs – 400 at Ford and up to 900 among its suppliers.
"$21 million will be invested in plant and equipment and further investment will go towards engineering the inline-6 engine to meet the stringent Euro IV environmental standard,'' Federal Industry Minister Senator Kim Carr saiod this morning.
The inline-6 is a unique Australian engine that uses components from suppliers in Geelong and across the country. All three Australian-based motor vehicle producers will now be making engines to meet the new Euro IV standards when they are introduced into Australia in 2010,'' Senator Carr said.Ford will invest the $21 million continued use post-2010, as well as invest in considerable engineering development of the I6 engine to ensure compliance with stringent Euro IV emissions standards.
This adds to the $200 million that the company has previously invested in facilities and product development in Geelong since 2006 and will supplement the company's ongoing Geelong-based stamping, R&D and Proving Ground facilities, the company said in a statement just issued."This decision is good news, not only for our employees in Geelong, our suppliers and the surrounding community, but also for the many fans of our I6 engine, which will now be re-engineered to achieve Euro IV emissions standards," said Ford Australia president and CEO Marin Burela.
Ford said that in addition to direct employment benefits for the Geelong region, retaining the engine plant was expected to provide an on-flow of business to local service providers. Australian component suppliers would also benefit due to the continued requirement for a number of engine components, including intake manifolds, engine pistons, gaskets and bearings.
"This is the first step in a broad product investment strategy to reduce emissions and deliver improved fuel economy across our locally built vehicle line-up, including Falcon, Falcon Ute and Territory."Ford said it believed the Federal Government's new Green Car Innovation Fund provided a framework for the company to investigate an additional range of environmentally-oriented product investment initiatives which, when combined with emissions improvements to the popular I6 engine, would increase future competitiveness."Our I6 engine continues to receive rave reviews for its performance, fuel economy and quietness. Keeping this engine in our product line-up will allow us to maintain our competitive edge and provide a distinct advantage over our direct competition," said Mr Burela."
When added to our other proposed future product actions, we will offer consumers a range of choices that will allow them to continue enjoying all the benefits of Australia’s only locally manufactured vehicle to achieve a 5-star safety rating, along with continued fuel economy improvements and reduced emissions."Premier John Brumby welcomed the Ford announcement, calling it an "important move'' that would "secure jobs, provide a boost for local component manufacturers and further enhance Victoria’s automotive capabilities”.
“This is a big leap forward for the Victorian automotive industry and good news for those Australian component suppliers who will be called upon to continue providing parts for the I6 engine,” he said.
Mr Brumby said the government had worked closely with Ford to secure this outcome and would continue to work with the company to facilitate its development of clean and efficient technologies.
Ford jobs crisis climax today
Danny Lannen
November 13th, 2008
MARK McClure will go to work today expecting to learn if he needs to go there anymore.
The Ford worker of almost 23 years will be one of many employees filing through the gates today with hopeful or heavy hearts as the company prepares to mobilise its latest round of job cuts.
Staff are calling it D-Day, D for dilemma, D for decision, D for departure. Some, like Mr McClure, will be happy to take the money and go. ``I've put my hand up,'' Mr McClure said.
``It's hard. You've got to consider all of the options, but I just think the way everything's been going I think the damage has been done. ``I suppose at the end of the day you have to make a decision on do you want to change direction.''
Mr McClure, 39, is a toolmaker and Australian Manufacturing Workers Union metals deputy in Geelong's stamping operation.
He said the mood in the plant remained sombre, sometimes testy and sometimes emotional. ``You see people obviously pretty upset and they just don't know what to do,'' Mr McClure said. ``Some people are just prepared to hang on no matter what, and I suppose whatever they're dealt, they're dealt. ``I suppose in the back of people's minds they're waiting and some are probably getting a bit impatient wanting to know what to do once the decision is made. ``I guess some are thinking in the back of their minds, have I made the right decision or not?''
Mr McClure is a single dad with a son, 13, at home. He's not fretting about his financial situation but he doesn't have a new job to turn to and wonders about the future. He also despairs for loss of skills in the workforce as Ford employees turn to other endeavours.
Mr McClure believes the State Government should step in and help with re-training. ``We shouldn't be disadvantaged in access to training and should get access to government-funded training in these circumstances,'' Mr McClure said. ``They come out and say about skills for the future and redevelopment. Some very, very highly skilled people come out of the auto industry and it would be easier to teach now than losing it.''
He doubts the Federal Government's $6.2 billion auto industry rescue package will do much. ``I'm not convinced it's over yet,'' Mr McClure said.``I'm convinced the worst is still to come in the economy and the auto industry. ``The Government package sounds good but when you talk about the auto industry it chews money up like it's going out of fashion; $6 billion doesn't go far in that lot.''
November 13th, 2008
MARK McClure will go to work today expecting to learn if he needs to go there anymore.
The Ford worker of almost 23 years will be one of many employees filing through the gates today with hopeful or heavy hearts as the company prepares to mobilise its latest round of job cuts.
Staff are calling it D-Day, D for dilemma, D for decision, D for departure. Some, like Mr McClure, will be happy to take the money and go. ``I've put my hand up,'' Mr McClure said.
``It's hard. You've got to consider all of the options, but I just think the way everything's been going I think the damage has been done. ``I suppose at the end of the day you have to make a decision on do you want to change direction.''
Mr McClure, 39, is a toolmaker and Australian Manufacturing Workers Union metals deputy in Geelong's stamping operation.
He said the mood in the plant remained sombre, sometimes testy and sometimes emotional. ``You see people obviously pretty upset and they just don't know what to do,'' Mr McClure said. ``Some people are just prepared to hang on no matter what, and I suppose whatever they're dealt, they're dealt. ``I suppose in the back of people's minds they're waiting and some are probably getting a bit impatient wanting to know what to do once the decision is made. ``I guess some are thinking in the back of their minds, have I made the right decision or not?''
Mr McClure is a single dad with a son, 13, at home. He's not fretting about his financial situation but he doesn't have a new job to turn to and wonders about the future. He also despairs for loss of skills in the workforce as Ford employees turn to other endeavours.
Mr McClure believes the State Government should step in and help with re-training. ``We shouldn't be disadvantaged in access to training and should get access to government-funded training in these circumstances,'' Mr McClure said. ``They come out and say about skills for the future and redevelopment. Some very, very highly skilled people come out of the auto industry and it would be easier to teach now than losing it.''
He doubts the Federal Government's $6.2 billion auto industry rescue package will do much. ``I'm not convinced it's over yet,'' Mr McClure said.``I'm convinced the worst is still to come in the economy and the auto industry. ``The Government package sounds good but when you talk about the auto industry it chews money up like it's going out of fashion; $6 billion doesn't go far in that lot.''
Ford slammed
By Belinda Nolan, 21st October 2008 Independent
FORD workers have slammed management for the way it announced plans to slash jobs at its Broadmeadows plant.
The multinational car maker last Thursday confirmed rumours when it announced it will slash 450 jobs.
In addition to the cuts, company president Martin Burela revealed more down days in production meaning staff will only be working between two and three days a week until the end of the year.
The company’s Campbellfield head office has yet to confirm how many jobs will go from its plants at Broadmeadows and Geelong.
One worker, who did not wish to be named, criticised the way Ford had handled the situation.
“There has been very little communication. You hear more about it on the radio. You hear about it first in the media, then the next day they actually tell you,” he said.
The worker said the news had delivered a crushing blow to his workmates, many of whom were facing the prospect of Christmas unemployed.
“The morale here is very low at the moment,” he said.“All the down days are having an effect on people. It’s pretty depressing.”
The man said many workers feared not only for their jobs but the pressure it would put on their families.“
So far it hasn’t affected me but it probably will in the future.
You do have to worry about it, especially if you have a family.”Mr Burela defended the company’s decision, saying the current economic crisis had left Ford with little choice but to make the cuts to ensure it could continue to operate profitably into the future.
“This is a proactive step to position ourselves for strength,” Mr Burela said.“The reality is it’s something we need to do to move forward in the marketplace.“We don’t take these steps and these actions lightly but we are committed to working with our employees and our union partners to provide a smooth transition for our people as we move forward,” Mr Burela said.“However, we do need to take these steps. The steps are necessary actions to right-size the business to ensure that we can operate and operate effectively in a very dynamic and changing marketplace here in Australia.”
The new revelations came following an August announcement that the company would cull up to 350 jobs at its Broadmeadows and Geelong factories starting in November.
The announcement brings the total job cuts at Ford to 1400 over two years.
Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union Victorian secretary Steve Dargavel said the news was disappointing.“This is a very sad day for manufacturing,” Mr Dargavel said.Mr Dargavel said the cuts, along with the down days, were a massive blow for the 4700 Victorian workers employed by Ford.
He said the union was working on an arrangement with the company, to allow workers to use their accrued leave to try to absorb some of the down days but the solution would not help everyone.
FORD workers have slammed management for the way it announced plans to slash jobs at its Broadmeadows plant.
The multinational car maker last Thursday confirmed rumours when it announced it will slash 450 jobs.
In addition to the cuts, company president Martin Burela revealed more down days in production meaning staff will only be working between two and three days a week until the end of the year.
The company’s Campbellfield head office has yet to confirm how many jobs will go from its plants at Broadmeadows and Geelong.
One worker, who did not wish to be named, criticised the way Ford had handled the situation.
“There has been very little communication. You hear more about it on the radio. You hear about it first in the media, then the next day they actually tell you,” he said.
The worker said the news had delivered a crushing blow to his workmates, many of whom were facing the prospect of Christmas unemployed.
“The morale here is very low at the moment,” he said.“All the down days are having an effect on people. It’s pretty depressing.”
The man said many workers feared not only for their jobs but the pressure it would put on their families.“
So far it hasn’t affected me but it probably will in the future.
You do have to worry about it, especially if you have a family.”Mr Burela defended the company’s decision, saying the current economic crisis had left Ford with little choice but to make the cuts to ensure it could continue to operate profitably into the future.
“This is a proactive step to position ourselves for strength,” Mr Burela said.“The reality is it’s something we need to do to move forward in the marketplace.“We don’t take these steps and these actions lightly but we are committed to working with our employees and our union partners to provide a smooth transition for our people as we move forward,” Mr Burela said.“However, we do need to take these steps. The steps are necessary actions to right-size the business to ensure that we can operate and operate effectively in a very dynamic and changing marketplace here in Australia.”
The new revelations came following an August announcement that the company would cull up to 350 jobs at its Broadmeadows and Geelong factories starting in November.
The announcement brings the total job cuts at Ford to 1400 over two years.
Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union Victorian secretary Steve Dargavel said the news was disappointing.“This is a very sad day for manufacturing,” Mr Dargavel said.Mr Dargavel said the cuts, along with the down days, were a massive blow for the 4700 Victorian workers employed by Ford.
He said the union was working on an arrangement with the company, to allow workers to use their accrued leave to try to absorb some of the down days but the solution would not help everyone.
Ford cuts to hit other Geelong companies
Martin Watters, October 18th, 2008 - Geelong Advertiser
MORE Geelong jobs could be in the gun as Ford's production cuts affect companies that supply the ailing car-maker, unions say.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union says the flow-on effect from Ford decision to cut another 450 jobs and slow output next month could lead to component makers along the line sacking staff.
State secretary Steve Dargavel yesterday said the Blue Oval's decisions this week could have a far-reaching effect in the automotive manufacturing industry.
"Ford has announced additional downturns and both the employees of Ford and employees of companies that supply Ford will suffer additional down days," he said.
"Our members are having negotiations with companies that supply Ford and there could be another round of redundancies on the back of Ford decision."
Mr Dargavel defended the work of local manufacturing employees at companies such as Ford, General Motors Holden and Toyota but criticised management structures that prevented export.
"There's one company that is exporting cars and hiring staff and expanding plant operations while conversely Ford are shedding staff and contracting out labour and they're losing plant capacity," he said.
"One company has a parent company that allows them to export but the other has one that does not.
"Ford is constrained by its parent company's actions and that has meant that our members in Geelong suffer as a consequence."
David Sykes, general manager of Geelong components supplier Backwell IXL, said the cutbacks would have a negligible effect on his firm, but acknowledged cutbacks were a worry for any large firm.
"In general terms anyone would be concerned when a major manufacturing company changes its operations," he said.
"(But) there's no negative impact (on Backwell IXL) because we've been aware of their volume of production."
MORE Geelong jobs could be in the gun as Ford's production cuts affect companies that supply the ailing car-maker, unions say.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union says the flow-on effect from Ford decision to cut another 450 jobs and slow output next month could lead to component makers along the line sacking staff.
State secretary Steve Dargavel yesterday said the Blue Oval's decisions this week could have a far-reaching effect in the automotive manufacturing industry.
"Ford has announced additional downturns and both the employees of Ford and employees of companies that supply Ford will suffer additional down days," he said.
"Our members are having negotiations with companies that supply Ford and there could be another round of redundancies on the back of Ford decision."
Mr Dargavel defended the work of local manufacturing employees at companies such as Ford, General Motors Holden and Toyota but criticised management structures that prevented export.
"There's one company that is exporting cars and hiring staff and expanding plant operations while conversely Ford are shedding staff and contracting out labour and they're losing plant capacity," he said.
"One company has a parent company that allows them to export but the other has one that does not.
"Ford is constrained by its parent company's actions and that has meant that our members in Geelong suffer as a consequence."
David Sykes, general manager of Geelong components supplier Backwell IXL, said the cutbacks would have a negligible effect on his firm, but acknowledged cutbacks were a worry for any large firm.
"In general terms anyone would be concerned when a major manufacturing company changes its operations," he said.
"(But) there's no negative impact (on Backwell IXL) because we've been aware of their volume of production."
Mumbo jumbo bunkum at Ford
Roger Franklin October 17, 2008 - Herald Sun
FOR a while yesterday in Broadmeadows, as the news cameras rolled and Ford CEO Marin Burela hit his stride at the lectern, a dark future didn't sound too bleak at all.
Suddenly, Burela wasn't the bearer of grim tidings, the new FG sedan was a roaring success, and the company's 4000-or-so surviving workers were valued partners in a dynamic, devoted and 'extremely committed" team.
As for the 450 names that will appear on the latest round of workforce cuts, those soon to be ex employees would not simply be thrown out onto Sydney Rd.
Sacked, laid off, made redundant -- they are such brutal words. Instead, Mr Burela talked about a "separation program".
Leaping over a stack of dictionaries and weaving through a thicket of management-speak, he vaulted to the floor of a metaphoric tyre showroom, where "right-sizing" Ford's plants demanded "rebalancing and realignment".
There was quite a bit of "down shifting" as well, and "preference shifting," too. And don't forget "through-put", which rolled as smoothly from Mr Burela's lips as cars once came from his production line. But of those unmentionable job cuts, not a single word.
The optimistic glow faded even more when Steve Dargavel, state secretary of the AMWU, shared some pointed truths about his members' prospects.
"There are seven to nine jobs lost in the supply chain for every job cut here, at Ford -- you figure it out," he said.
It was short and blunt and to the point. And unlike Mr Burela's performance, it was chillingly comprehensible.
FOR a while yesterday in Broadmeadows, as the news cameras rolled and Ford CEO Marin Burela hit his stride at the lectern, a dark future didn't sound too bleak at all.
Suddenly, Burela wasn't the bearer of grim tidings, the new FG sedan was a roaring success, and the company's 4000-or-so surviving workers were valued partners in a dynamic, devoted and 'extremely committed" team.
As for the 450 names that will appear on the latest round of workforce cuts, those soon to be ex employees would not simply be thrown out onto Sydney Rd.
Sacked, laid off, made redundant -- they are such brutal words. Instead, Mr Burela talked about a "separation program".
Leaping over a stack of dictionaries and weaving through a thicket of management-speak, he vaulted to the floor of a metaphoric tyre showroom, where "right-sizing" Ford's plants demanded "rebalancing and realignment".
There was quite a bit of "down shifting" as well, and "preference shifting," too. And don't forget "through-put", which rolled as smoothly from Mr Burela's lips as cars once came from his production line. But of those unmentionable job cuts, not a single word.
The optimistic glow faded even more when Steve Dargavel, state secretary of the AMWU, shared some pointed truths about his members' prospects.
"There are seven to nine jobs lost in the supply chain for every job cut here, at Ford -- you figure it out," he said.
It was short and blunt and to the point. And unlike Mr Burela's performance, it was chillingly comprehensible.
Ford job cuts 'catastrophic' for Victoria
- AAP/ABC - 16/10/2008
Workers at Geelong's Ford plant have greeted today's news of further job losses with a mixture of confusion and disbelief. Ford has confirmed it will cut a further 450 jobs from its Victorian work force.
The cuts have been blamed on the global economic slowdown and falling demand for large passenger cars.
Today's announcement takes the number of recent job losses announced at Ford's Victorian operations to about 1,500.
Shop steward Darryl Palmer, who has worked at the plant for nearly 20 years, said any further losses could be "catastrophic" for Victoria's biggest regional centre.
"It's the flow-on effect to suppliers," he said. "Most guys know what's going on ... we just didn't know the final figure."
Many of the workers arriving for today's evening shift said they would be prepared to take redundancy packages. Ilya Simunovich, who has worked at the plant for 36 years, said he planned to take redundancy and blames the downturn on petrol prices.
Many of the workers were reluctant to talk to media about the job losses and were anxious to get inside the plant and find out what was going on.
One worker, who only wanted to be called Tim, expressed frustration that media knew more about the job losses than the workers.
"I've just got back from holiday and the mood in the joint is pretty ordinary," he said. "I think everyone's in the same boat. We've all got mortgages, we've all got families, we've all got to look out. Our jobs aren't secure, you've got to do what's best for you."
Blow to the industry
Meanwhile, the Federal Government says Ford's decision to axe more jobs in Victoria is another blow to the industry, but does not mean automotive manufacturing is in terminal decline.
"This is precisely why the Government is taking decisive action to support this industry and every other Australian industry sector by increasing the liquidity and the stability of the financial system," Industry Minister Kim Carr told the Senate.
"... The situation in the automotive industry, I think we would all agree, is particularly troubling.
"We all acknowledge that the automotive sector is facing exceptional difficulties as a result of international difficulties."
Opposition industry spokesperson Eric Abetz blamed the job losses on Labor. "Well over 3,000 jobs - 5 per cent of the work force - have been lost in the Australian car industry since Labor
was elected 10 months ago on a promise to 'save Australia's car industry'," he said in a statement.
The cuts will cover all the company's Victorian operations and would be equally spread between its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants. The cuts will occur between now and the end of this year.
Workers at Geelong's Ford plant have greeted today's news of further job losses with a mixture of confusion and disbelief. Ford has confirmed it will cut a further 450 jobs from its Victorian work force.
The cuts have been blamed on the global economic slowdown and falling demand for large passenger cars.
Today's announcement takes the number of recent job losses announced at Ford's Victorian operations to about 1,500.
Shop steward Darryl Palmer, who has worked at the plant for nearly 20 years, said any further losses could be "catastrophic" for Victoria's biggest regional centre.
"It's the flow-on effect to suppliers," he said. "Most guys know what's going on ... we just didn't know the final figure."
Many of the workers arriving for today's evening shift said they would be prepared to take redundancy packages. Ilya Simunovich, who has worked at the plant for 36 years, said he planned to take redundancy and blames the downturn on petrol prices.
Many of the workers were reluctant to talk to media about the job losses and were anxious to get inside the plant and find out what was going on.
One worker, who only wanted to be called Tim, expressed frustration that media knew more about the job losses than the workers.
"I've just got back from holiday and the mood in the joint is pretty ordinary," he said. "I think everyone's in the same boat. We've all got mortgages, we've all got families, we've all got to look out. Our jobs aren't secure, you've got to do what's best for you."
Blow to the industry
Meanwhile, the Federal Government says Ford's decision to axe more jobs in Victoria is another blow to the industry, but does not mean automotive manufacturing is in terminal decline.
"This is precisely why the Government is taking decisive action to support this industry and every other Australian industry sector by increasing the liquidity and the stability of the financial system," Industry Minister Kim Carr told the Senate.
"... The situation in the automotive industry, I think we would all agree, is particularly troubling.
"We all acknowledge that the automotive sector is facing exceptional difficulties as a result of international difficulties."
Opposition industry spokesperson Eric Abetz blamed the job losses on Labor. "Well over 3,000 jobs - 5 per cent of the work force - have been lost in the Australian car industry since Labor
was elected 10 months ago on a promise to 'save Australia's car industry'," he said in a statement.
The cuts will cover all the company's Victorian operations and would be equally spread between its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants. The cuts will occur between now and the end of this year.
Ford to cut 450 more jobs
October 16th, 2008, Geelong Advertiser
BREAKING NEWS Ford will cut another 450 jobs in Australia, chief executive Marin Burela (Marin Burela) said today.
Today's announcement brings to 1,400 the total job cuts at Ford over the past 15 months.
In August, it announced 350 jobs were to go from its Geelong and Broadmeadows factories in mid-November, while 600 jobs are to be cut by 2010 with the closure of the Geelong engine plant.
Ford chief executive Marin Burela said the economic crisis was having a severe impact on Ford.
He said the cutbacks would ensure that Ford could operate profitably and would help Ford move forward in the market.
``This is a proactive step to position ourselves for strength,'' Mr Burela told reporters.
The 450 job cuts will be from both Geelong and in Melbourne, Mr Burela has just said.
``Ford is determined to change its brand it the eyes of consumers and in the market,'' Mr Burela just said. ``The realitiy is it's something we need to move forward in the marketplace''.
The jobs will go by the end of the year, Mr Burela said.
The job cuts were the ``right thing to do'' to position the company in the current environment and to respond to what the market was looking for, he said.
Mr Burela said the job cuts - which he described as a ``separation program'' - would be carried out on a voluntary basis and all employee benefits and entitlements would be provided. Financial and career counselling would also be offered, he said.
``We don't take these steps and these actions lightly, but we are committed to working with our employees and our union partners to provide a smooth transition for our people as we move forward,'' he said.
``However we do need to take these steps. The steps are necessary actions to ensure that we right-size the business, to ensure that we can operate and operate effectively in a very dynamic and changing marketplace here in Australia.''
Mr Burela said the cuts, which he also called a ``rebalancing of our staff'', would affect both factory and office staff.
``It's absolutely critical that we take a proactive step, that we position ourselves for strength in terms of where we're heading into 2009 and beyond,'' he said.
He said slashing 1,400 jobs over the last year ``is the right course of action to ensure we can operate profitably, effectively and efficiently as we move forward''.
Earlier today, Victorian Premier John Brumby said he spoke to Ford yesterday and was very disappointed with their decision.
``They would argue obviously that times have never been tougher, they've put off something like 40,000 people around the world over the last few weeks, so we are not immune from that.
``I just appeal to employers, as we go through what is a difficult short-term economic environment, to hold people for as long as you can.
``I know it's tough, I know the global circumstances are as tough as you get, but we need to hold people as long as we can otherwise this will keep spiralling onward and more and more companies will simply reduce their labour force.''
The cuts are a further blow to Australia's struggling automotive industry.
In June, Holden announced it would cease production of four-cylinder engines at its Fishermans Bend plant in Melbourne, risking more than 500 jobs, while Mitsubishi announced in February it would close its assembly operations in Tonsley Park, Adelaide, costing 970 jobs.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) said it was concerned about Ford's continued production of big cars and called on the federal government to intervene to protect the industry and jobs.``The AMWU has been thinking for some time the job market for large sedans was problematic and we need significant intervention,'' said AMWU Victorian state secretary Steve Dargavel.
``Today is disappointing to our members who work on the sites and for workers on the supply chain.''
Mr Dargavel said car parts suppliers would also lose jobs as a result of Ford's cuts.
BREAKING NEWS Ford will cut another 450 jobs in Australia, chief executive Marin Burela (Marin Burela) said today.
Today's announcement brings to 1,400 the total job cuts at Ford over the past 15 months.
In August, it announced 350 jobs were to go from its Geelong and Broadmeadows factories in mid-November, while 600 jobs are to be cut by 2010 with the closure of the Geelong engine plant.
Ford chief executive Marin Burela said the economic crisis was having a severe impact on Ford.
He said the cutbacks would ensure that Ford could operate profitably and would help Ford move forward in the market.
``This is a proactive step to position ourselves for strength,'' Mr Burela told reporters.
The 450 job cuts will be from both Geelong and in Melbourne, Mr Burela has just said.
``Ford is determined to change its brand it the eyes of consumers and in the market,'' Mr Burela just said. ``The realitiy is it's something we need to move forward in the marketplace''.
The jobs will go by the end of the year, Mr Burela said.
The job cuts were the ``right thing to do'' to position the company in the current environment and to respond to what the market was looking for, he said.
Mr Burela said the job cuts - which he described as a ``separation program'' - would be carried out on a voluntary basis and all employee benefits and entitlements would be provided. Financial and career counselling would also be offered, he said.
``We don't take these steps and these actions lightly, but we are committed to working with our employees and our union partners to provide a smooth transition for our people as we move forward,'' he said.
``However we do need to take these steps. The steps are necessary actions to ensure that we right-size the business, to ensure that we can operate and operate effectively in a very dynamic and changing marketplace here in Australia.''
Mr Burela said the cuts, which he also called a ``rebalancing of our staff'', would affect both factory and office staff.
``It's absolutely critical that we take a proactive step, that we position ourselves for strength in terms of where we're heading into 2009 and beyond,'' he said.
He said slashing 1,400 jobs over the last year ``is the right course of action to ensure we can operate profitably, effectively and efficiently as we move forward''.
Earlier today, Victorian Premier John Brumby said he spoke to Ford yesterday and was very disappointed with their decision.
``They would argue obviously that times have never been tougher, they've put off something like 40,000 people around the world over the last few weeks, so we are not immune from that.
``I just appeal to employers, as we go through what is a difficult short-term economic environment, to hold people for as long as you can.
``I know it's tough, I know the global circumstances are as tough as you get, but we need to hold people as long as we can otherwise this will keep spiralling onward and more and more companies will simply reduce their labour force.''
The cuts are a further blow to Australia's struggling automotive industry.
In June, Holden announced it would cease production of four-cylinder engines at its Fishermans Bend plant in Melbourne, risking more than 500 jobs, while Mitsubishi announced in February it would close its assembly operations in Tonsley Park, Adelaide, costing 970 jobs.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) said it was concerned about Ford's continued production of big cars and called on the federal government to intervene to protect the industry and jobs.``The AMWU has been thinking for some time the job market for large sedans was problematic and we need significant intervention,'' said AMWU Victorian state secretary Steve Dargavel.
``Today is disappointing to our members who work on the sites and for workers on the supply chain.''
Mr Dargavel said car parts suppliers would also lose jobs as a result of Ford's cuts.
Geelong-born Ford president nowhere to be seen
Geelong Advertiser, Danny Lannen - October 15th, 2008
FORD Australia's new chief executive stayed silent in Melbourne yesterday while workers in his old home town paced the floor over their futures.
Marin Burela did not share a public word as talk ignited of hundreds of fresh job cuts at Ford's Geelong and Broadmeadows plants.
His former Geelong workmates called from the factory floor for respect and compassion as they contemplated more questions and less secure futures.
"People are upset, people are stressed, people are worried, they've got financial issues, housing issues, kids, morale is right, right down," one employee said.
"We just want the company to have the decency to inform people on the shop floor."
Ford Australia spokeswoman Sinead McAlary said Mr Burela would speak once he had settled into his new role.
Mr Burela inherited a poisoned chalice when he formally started as Ford Australia president and chief executive on October 1 with the company already having announced cutting of up to 350 jobs in Geelong by mid-November.
Fresh claims have added weight to workers' fears as stalling big-car sales, rising fuel costs and global economic pressures weigh on bottom lines.
Ms McAlary confirmed yesterday Mr Burela was in the driver's chair, hands-on and in charge in Melbourne. but would not be speaking publicly.
He had been in and out of Australia during the past couple of weeks handing over his overseas posting, she said.
"He was in Australia for two days when he first took over and then back to Europe for more handovers and then last Wednesday night was back in Australia," Ms McAlary said.
"Obviously we've been working on this for a couple of months, what we're trying to do is set the company up so it will be the right size and with the right skills to move the business forward."
Mr Burela was born in Geelong and joined Ford as an engineering graduate in 1984 and has worked in senior management roles across manufacturing, sales, marketing and product development in Asia, Europe and North America.
He has not worked at Ford Australia since 1998.
Ms McAlary declined to comment on the number of workers who might be offered redundancies.
"We're still working through what is best," Ms McAlary said.
"We'll get back to them as soon as practically possible, we're hoping to do it sooner rather than later."
FORD Australia's new chief executive stayed silent in Melbourne yesterday while workers in his old home town paced the floor over their futures.
Marin Burela did not share a public word as talk ignited of hundreds of fresh job cuts at Ford's Geelong and Broadmeadows plants.
His former Geelong workmates called from the factory floor for respect and compassion as they contemplated more questions and less secure futures.
"People are upset, people are stressed, people are worried, they've got financial issues, housing issues, kids, morale is right, right down," one employee said.
"We just want the company to have the decency to inform people on the shop floor."
Ford Australia spokeswoman Sinead McAlary said Mr Burela would speak once he had settled into his new role.
Mr Burela inherited a poisoned chalice when he formally started as Ford Australia president and chief executive on October 1 with the company already having announced cutting of up to 350 jobs in Geelong by mid-November.
Fresh claims have added weight to workers' fears as stalling big-car sales, rising fuel costs and global economic pressures weigh on bottom lines.
Ms McAlary confirmed yesterday Mr Burela was in the driver's chair, hands-on and in charge in Melbourne. but would not be speaking publicly.
He had been in and out of Australia during the past couple of weeks handing over his overseas posting, she said.
"He was in Australia for two days when he first took over and then back to Europe for more handovers and then last Wednesday night was back in Australia," Ms McAlary said.
"Obviously we've been working on this for a couple of months, what we're trying to do is set the company up so it will be the right size and with the right skills to move the business forward."
Mr Burela was born in Geelong and joined Ford as an engineering graduate in 1984 and has worked in senior management roles across manufacturing, sales, marketing and product development in Asia, Europe and North America.
He has not worked at Ford Australia since 1998.
Ms McAlary declined to comment on the number of workers who might be offered redundancies.
"We're still working through what is best," Ms McAlary said.
"We'll get back to them as soon as practically possible, we're hoping to do it sooner rather than later."
Ford to cut jobs, won't say how many
News.com.au, 14th October 2008
FORD Australia has confirmed it will cut more jobs from its Victorian workforce as slow sales, but will not say how many, as high fuel prices and its troubled US parent continue to bite hard on its bottom line.
The company has confirmed it is looking at slashing more jobs at its Victorian plants, but will not say how many.
Company spokeswoman Sinead McAlary today said the company was looking at where it could cut costs across all divisions, including engineering, administration, product design, marketing and the factory floor.
The review is tied to Ford's decision in August to slow production of its V6 cars by up to 25 per cent, slashing up to 350 manufacturing jobs at its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in November.
Ms McAlary said the company was now reviewing its operations to see if there were further associated cost cuts that could be made.
She said Ford employed about 4,700 people at its Victorian plants, 2,300 of whom were factory floor workers and 2,400 in areas such as engineering, administration, marketing and product design.
"We have told employees there will be voluntary separations on top of the 300 to 350 jobs being cut in manufacturing," Ms McAlary said. "We're still working through that process."
She said because the review was not complete and staff had not been told how many jobs may go, reports of numbers of job cuts were speculation that she would not confirm.
Fairfax Media this morning reported Ford was set to slash another 500 jobs in Victoria.
Melbourne Australian Manufacturing Workers Union vehicle division federal secretary Ian Jones later said it would not be productive to speculate on the number of jobs at stake.
"We're constantly in contact with Ford, we'll be continuing to have some discussions with them to see exactly what the numbers are," Mr Jones said.
He said the union was meeting with Ford next Tuesday to get its anticipated sales figures for the rest of the year and did not expect to know anything until the end of the week.
"And we would expect at that meeting we would get some serious data on the jobs."
"I don't think it's going to be small,'' Mr Jones said. "We know there are jobs going - we just don't know the total figure. "These big cars are not selling,'' he said. "The financial crisis globally, to be quite frank, means people are hanging onto their money - the second biggest purchase they make in their life is their car.''
In August, Ford said it would cut 350 manufacturing jobs from next month in a bid to reduce
its annual output by one-quarter, or 18,000 cars.
Last year, Ford said it would close its six-cylinder engine plant at Geelong by the end of 2010, with the loss of 600 jobs, although it has said it would make small Focus cars at its Broadmeadows plant from 2011.
FORD Australia has confirmed it will cut more jobs from its Victorian workforce as slow sales, but will not say how many, as high fuel prices and its troubled US parent continue to bite hard on its bottom line.
The company has confirmed it is looking at slashing more jobs at its Victorian plants, but will not say how many.
Company spokeswoman Sinead McAlary today said the company was looking at where it could cut costs across all divisions, including engineering, administration, product design, marketing and the factory floor.
The review is tied to Ford's decision in August to slow production of its V6 cars by up to 25 per cent, slashing up to 350 manufacturing jobs at its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in November.
Ms McAlary said the company was now reviewing its operations to see if there were further associated cost cuts that could be made.
She said Ford employed about 4,700 people at its Victorian plants, 2,300 of whom were factory floor workers and 2,400 in areas such as engineering, administration, marketing and product design.
"We have told employees there will be voluntary separations on top of the 300 to 350 jobs being cut in manufacturing," Ms McAlary said. "We're still working through that process."
She said because the review was not complete and staff had not been told how many jobs may go, reports of numbers of job cuts were speculation that she would not confirm.
Fairfax Media this morning reported Ford was set to slash another 500 jobs in Victoria.
Melbourne Australian Manufacturing Workers Union vehicle division federal secretary Ian Jones later said it would not be productive to speculate on the number of jobs at stake.
"We're constantly in contact with Ford, we'll be continuing to have some discussions with them to see exactly what the numbers are," Mr Jones said.
He said the union was meeting with Ford next Tuesday to get its anticipated sales figures for the rest of the year and did not expect to know anything until the end of the week.
"And we would expect at that meeting we would get some serious data on the jobs."
"I don't think it's going to be small,'' Mr Jones said. "We know there are jobs going - we just don't know the total figure. "These big cars are not selling,'' he said. "The financial crisis globally, to be quite frank, means people are hanging onto their money - the second biggest purchase they make in their life is their car.''
In August, Ford said it would cut 350 manufacturing jobs from next month in a bid to reduce
its annual output by one-quarter, or 18,000 cars.
Last year, Ford said it would close its six-cylinder engine plant at Geelong by the end of 2010, with the loss of 600 jobs, although it has said it would make small Focus cars at its Broadmeadows plant from 2011.
Fords triumph at Bathurst
October 12, 2008, Sydney Morning Herald
Ford flyers Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup became the first men in 24 years to win a hat-trick of Bathurst 1000 titles with a near-flawless drive at Mount Panorama today.
The Triple Eight Racing duo equalled the all-time record for successive triumphs, joining motorsport legends Peter Brock, Jim Richards and Larry Perkins on three.
"This is amazing," Whincup said.
"How good was Lowndesy in that last stint. He just nails it every time. He's unbelievable.
"I'm not a greedy person but I'll take it every time."
New Zealand pairing Greg Murphy and Jason Richards pulled off an incredible second spot with Murphy passing the Ford of Steven Richards with just a handful of laps remaining.
Richards and Mark Winterbottom slipped another spot to fourth moments later as the Ford of James Courtney and David Besnard snuck through for a place on the podium.
Murphy and Richards, who had struggled in the V8 Supercar championship all year, formed the best Holden team for the second year in a row following their fourth place a year ago.
There was an element of controversy about the victory with Murphy claiming Lowndes should have been penalised for bumping him on the opening lap.
Lowndes appeared to veer into the side of Murphy and the four-time Bathurst champion battled steering problems as a result.
"He's got away with knocking us up," said Murphy.
Aside from that and a heap of safety car interventions late on, it was plain sailing for the champions, taking the lead from early pacesetters Stone Brothers Racing after the first pit stop on lap 34 and never looking back in their bid to enter the history books.
Lowndes, 34, also moved to equal fifth on the all-time list with four Bathurst wins, behind Brock (9), Richards (7), Perkins (6) and modern rival Mark Skaife (5).
Five-time winner Skaife and his V8 Supercar champion teammate Garth Tander had a horror day for the Holden Racing Team.
Tander got off to a disastrous start when the clutch slipped, leaving him stranded on the starting line as he dropped from pole position to last by the first corner.
Ford flyers Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup became the first men in 24 years to win a hat-trick of Bathurst 1000 titles with a near-flawless drive at Mount Panorama today.
The Triple Eight Racing duo equalled the all-time record for successive triumphs, joining motorsport legends Peter Brock, Jim Richards and Larry Perkins on three.
"This is amazing," Whincup said.
"How good was Lowndesy in that last stint. He just nails it every time. He's unbelievable.
"I'm not a greedy person but I'll take it every time."
New Zealand pairing Greg Murphy and Jason Richards pulled off an incredible second spot with Murphy passing the Ford of Steven Richards with just a handful of laps remaining.
Richards and Mark Winterbottom slipped another spot to fourth moments later as the Ford of James Courtney and David Besnard snuck through for a place on the podium.
Murphy and Richards, who had struggled in the V8 Supercar championship all year, formed the best Holden team for the second year in a row following their fourth place a year ago.
There was an element of controversy about the victory with Murphy claiming Lowndes should have been penalised for bumping him on the opening lap.
Lowndes appeared to veer into the side of Murphy and the four-time Bathurst champion battled steering problems as a result.
"He's got away with knocking us up," said Murphy.
Aside from that and a heap of safety car interventions late on, it was plain sailing for the champions, taking the lead from early pacesetters Stone Brothers Racing after the first pit stop on lap 34 and never looking back in their bid to enter the history books.
Lowndes, 34, also moved to equal fifth on the all-time list with four Bathurst wins, behind Brock (9), Richards (7), Perkins (6) and modern rival Mark Skaife (5).
Five-time winner Skaife and his V8 Supercar champion teammate Garth Tander had a horror day for the Holden Racing Team.
Tander got off to a disastrous start when the clutch slipped, leaving him stranded on the starting line as he dropped from pole position to last by the first corner.
Bank joins jobs drive
Geelong Advertiser - Rebecca Tucker, October 6th, 2008
ONE of Australia's big four banks has joined the Geelong Advertiser's Ford jobs drive campaign.
The Commonwealth Bank will offer financial planning assistance for Ford employees who lose their jobs when the car manufacturer slashes jobs from next month.
Commonwealth Financial Planning general manager Tim Gunning said the group would offer free seminars for the out-of-work employees and would waive initial advice fees, worth up to $1650.
The offer is open to employees at both Geelong and Broadmeadows, with between 300 and 350 jobs set to be cut across the two plants in line with Ford's plan to slash production by up to 25 per cent.
By 2010, more than half Ford Geelong's 1300 manufacturing workers will lose their jobs.
Ford will axe 600 jobs from Geelong when its six-cylinder engine production ends in two years.
``Some of these people will be getting large amounts of money and it's important that they invest the money wisely and make it work for them, especially in these uncertain times,'' Mr Gunning said.
The Geelong Advertiser began the Jobs Drive when Ford announced its production cuts in August.More than 15 employers have signed up to the campaign, pledging to consider Ford workers in their hunt for new jobs.
ONE of Australia's big four banks has joined the Geelong Advertiser's Ford jobs drive campaign.
The Commonwealth Bank will offer financial planning assistance for Ford employees who lose their jobs when the car manufacturer slashes jobs from next month.
Commonwealth Financial Planning general manager Tim Gunning said the group would offer free seminars for the out-of-work employees and would waive initial advice fees, worth up to $1650.
The offer is open to employees at both Geelong and Broadmeadows, with between 300 and 350 jobs set to be cut across the two plants in line with Ford's plan to slash production by up to 25 per cent.
By 2010, more than half Ford Geelong's 1300 manufacturing workers will lose their jobs.
Ford will axe 600 jobs from Geelong when its six-cylinder engine production ends in two years.
``Some of these people will be getting large amounts of money and it's important that they invest the money wisely and make it work for them, especially in these uncertain times,'' Mr Gunning said.
The Geelong Advertiser began the Jobs Drive when Ford announced its production cuts in August.More than 15 employers have signed up to the campaign, pledging to consider Ford workers in their hunt for new jobs.
Ford ponders selling engine plant site
Geelong Advertiser - Jeff Whalley, September 27th, 2008
FORD Australia is considering selling its iconic engine plant site. The company yesterday said the historic Melbourne Rd site could be off-loaded to fund future investments.
Ford spokesman Edward Finn yesterday said the plant in the north-west corner of the property was being considered for sale.
"Ford announced last year that it will be closing its engine assembly operation in 2010 and consistent with that plan, Ford has commenced discussions as to how best to utilise that facility," Mr Finn said.
"This includes the possible sale of the facility to fund investment and drive Ford's ongoing business objectives."
In mid-August, the motor giant announced plans to cut up to 350 workers from its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in mid-November.
This news came on top of 600 Ford Geelong job cuts from 2010 when six-cylinder engine production ends.
This week the motor giant named former Geelong engineer and senior manager Marin Burela as the heir apparent to take over as president and chief executive officer on October 1, becoming the company's first Australian boss since 2004.
Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union car division federal secretary Ian Jones has urged the Federal Government to implement reforms to the industry based on the review by former Victorian premier Steve Bracks in order to save the industry.
On its release in August, Mr Jones applauded the report's authors for picking up on the union suggestions, including doubling the green car fund and addressing the problems faced by workers who lose their jobs.
"The panel faced one first test to determine whether they want a car industry," he said.
"They have passed that test. The second part was crafting a policy in terms of environment. They have passed that test."
FORD Australia is considering selling its iconic engine plant site. The company yesterday said the historic Melbourne Rd site could be off-loaded to fund future investments.
Ford spokesman Edward Finn yesterday said the plant in the north-west corner of the property was being considered for sale.
"Ford announced last year that it will be closing its engine assembly operation in 2010 and consistent with that plan, Ford has commenced discussions as to how best to utilise that facility," Mr Finn said.
"This includes the possible sale of the facility to fund investment and drive Ford's ongoing business objectives."
In mid-August, the motor giant announced plans to cut up to 350 workers from its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in mid-November.
This news came on top of 600 Ford Geelong job cuts from 2010 when six-cylinder engine production ends.
This week the motor giant named former Geelong engineer and senior manager Marin Burela as the heir apparent to take over as president and chief executive officer on October 1, becoming the company's first Australian boss since 2004.
Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union car division federal secretary Ian Jones has urged the Federal Government to implement reforms to the industry based on the review by former Victorian premier Steve Bracks in order to save the industry.
On its release in August, Mr Jones applauded the report's authors for picking up on the union suggestions, including doubling the green car fund and addressing the problems faced by workers who lose their jobs.
"The panel faced one first test to determine whether they want a car industry," he said.
"They have passed that test. The second part was crafting a policy in terms of environment. They have passed that test."
Ford announces Australian as new local boss
Toby Hagon, drive.com.au, September 24, 2008
Geelong-born Marin Burela has been appointed president and CEO of Ford Australia during one of the company's most challenging times, reports TOBY HAGON.
An Australian will run one of Australia's three remaining car makers for the first time since 2004 following the appointment of Marin Burela as president and CEO of Ford Australia.
Burela, who started his career at Ford Australia in 1984 before taking up various overseas executive postings from 1998, will become the third Ford Australia boss in less than a year following the shock resignation of Bill Osborne last month.
He is the first Australian boss for Ford since the late Geoff Polites left in 2004 to pursue a career at Ford of Europe and, later, become the global boss of Jaguar and Land Rover.
Burela is acutely aware of the challenges facing Ford locally. He recently described Ford Australia as the "Falcon motor company" when acknowledging the challenges of shifting its large-car dependence to smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles in an era of increased environmental awareness and high petrol prices.
Burela's enthusiasm and experience across manufacturing, sales, marketing and product development is seen as a strong fit for Ford Australia, where he started his career.
His expertise in small cars - he was most recently the vehicle line director for global small vehicles - is seen as crucial as car makers battle the largest ever shift in buyer tastes in the wake of volatile fuel prices and increased environmental concerns.
"Burela's strong leadership and broad experience within Ford Motor Company will be vital to driving the successful future of Ford Australia's operations," says Ford executive vice president John Parker. "As a Geelong native, his return to Ford Australia allows him to lead not only one of Ford's more strategic global markets, but one for which he has such a strong affinity."
Burela takes up the top posting at Ford's Broadmeadows headquarters on October 1 as the company prepares to build a Focus hatchback in Australia from 2011 while trying to arrest flagging sales of its locally made Falcon and Territory in the wake of a shift away from large cars.
At the recent global launch of the Fiesta small car Burela talked of the need for car makers to better predict markets and respond more quickly to changing demand.
"You have to be in tune with where the market is going before it gets there," said Burela. "In Australia … they realised they couldn’t continue to be the Falcon car company. They predicted the market before it got there [by producing the Territory wagon]."
He also spoke of the need for car makers to be prepared to "reinvent" themselves, comments that could refer to Ford's increased focus on small cars and the possibility the company could explore other opportunities.
"You have to keep reinventing yourself," he said. "You give them a reason to buy into the brand and you never give them a reason to leave the brand."
Burela most recently led the development of Ford's light car range, led by the new Fiesta hatch. He has also worked for the previously Ford-owned Land Rover brand as director of manufacturing.
Burela's appointment will see him return to Australia where he first started his career at Ford in 1984.
Geelong-born Marin Burela has been appointed president and CEO of Ford Australia during one of the company's most challenging times, reports TOBY HAGON.
An Australian will run one of Australia's three remaining car makers for the first time since 2004 following the appointment of Marin Burela as president and CEO of Ford Australia.
Burela, who started his career at Ford Australia in 1984 before taking up various overseas executive postings from 1998, will become the third Ford Australia boss in less than a year following the shock resignation of Bill Osborne last month.
He is the first Australian boss for Ford since the late Geoff Polites left in 2004 to pursue a career at Ford of Europe and, later, become the global boss of Jaguar and Land Rover.
Burela is acutely aware of the challenges facing Ford locally. He recently described Ford Australia as the "Falcon motor company" when acknowledging the challenges of shifting its large-car dependence to smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles in an era of increased environmental awareness and high petrol prices.
Burela's enthusiasm and experience across manufacturing, sales, marketing and product development is seen as a strong fit for Ford Australia, where he started his career.
His expertise in small cars - he was most recently the vehicle line director for global small vehicles - is seen as crucial as car makers battle the largest ever shift in buyer tastes in the wake of volatile fuel prices and increased environmental concerns.
"Burela's strong leadership and broad experience within Ford Motor Company will be vital to driving the successful future of Ford Australia's operations," says Ford executive vice president John Parker. "As a Geelong native, his return to Ford Australia allows him to lead not only one of Ford's more strategic global markets, but one for which he has such a strong affinity."
Burela takes up the top posting at Ford's Broadmeadows headquarters on October 1 as the company prepares to build a Focus hatchback in Australia from 2011 while trying to arrest flagging sales of its locally made Falcon and Territory in the wake of a shift away from large cars.
At the recent global launch of the Fiesta small car Burela talked of the need for car makers to better predict markets and respond more quickly to changing demand.
"You have to be in tune with where the market is going before it gets there," said Burela. "In Australia … they realised they couldn’t continue to be the Falcon car company. They predicted the market before it got there [by producing the Territory wagon]."
He also spoke of the need for car makers to be prepared to "reinvent" themselves, comments that could refer to Ford's increased focus on small cars and the possibility the company could explore other opportunities.
"You have to keep reinventing yourself," he said. "You give them a reason to buy into the brand and you never give them a reason to leave the brand."
Burela most recently led the development of Ford's light car range, led by the new Fiesta hatch. He has also worked for the previously Ford-owned Land Rover brand as director of manufacturing.
Burela's appointment will see him return to Australia where he first started his career at Ford in 1984.
Ford and Cats drive on with partnership
Geelong Advertiser - Bradley Green, September 24th, 2008
TWO of Geelong's powerful identities have reaffirmed their vows to each other.
The Geelong Football Club yesterday announced it's long-standing partnership with major sponsor Ford had been extended for another five years.
While the club would not reveal the amount of the new deal, Cats CEO Brian Cook said "it's up there" with other large sponsorships in the AFL.
"It's the longest sponsorship that we've ever had, arguably the largest but we won't go into dollars," Cook said.
The new deal means the relationship between the club and the motor company will stretch to an amazing 88 years. Cook said they would be applying to the Guinness Book of Records to acknowledge it as the longest running world sports sponsorship.
"In 1925, the Ford Motor Company of Australia settled in Geelong and was the first overseas car maker to settle full-scale operations in Australia," Cook said.
"Ironically we won our first premiership in 1925, so there is some relationship there."
Cook said that 13 Geelong premiership players had worked on the assembly line over the past nine decades.
When coach Mark Thompson was asked about what would happen if the Cats lost to Hawthorn on Saturday, he quipped: "I might send a few (players) out there (to Ford) if they don't play the way we want them to play."
TWO of Geelong's powerful identities have reaffirmed their vows to each other.
The Geelong Football Club yesterday announced it's long-standing partnership with major sponsor Ford had been extended for another five years.
While the club would not reveal the amount of the new deal, Cats CEO Brian Cook said "it's up there" with other large sponsorships in the AFL.
"It's the longest sponsorship that we've ever had, arguably the largest but we won't go into dollars," Cook said.
The new deal means the relationship between the club and the motor company will stretch to an amazing 88 years. Cook said they would be applying to the Guinness Book of Records to acknowledge it as the longest running world sports sponsorship.
"In 1925, the Ford Motor Company of Australia settled in Geelong and was the first overseas car maker to settle full-scale operations in Australia," Cook said.
"Ironically we won our first premiership in 1925, so there is some relationship there."
Cook said that 13 Geelong premiership players had worked on the assembly line over the past nine decades.
When coach Mark Thompson was asked about what would happen if the Cats lost to Hawthorn on Saturday, he quipped: "I might send a few (players) out there (to Ford) if they don't play the way we want them to play."
Ford workers support
Geelong Advertiser - Rebecca Tucker, August 30th, 2008
EIGHT companies have thrown their support behind the Ford workers who will soon lose their jobs, signing up to the Geelong Advertiser's Jobs Drive campaign.
The employers' interest is a boost to the hundreds of Geelong manufacturing workers to be out of a job by 2010, starting in November.
Their support does not guarantee jobs for the workers but it gives them hope.
Among the eight employers are Target, Parcor, Diversitat, William Adams, McHarry's Buslines and Kempe Installation and Maintenance Services.
They contacted the newspaper in the wake of Ford's announcement last week of its plans to cull up to 350 workers between its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in mid-November.
The blow to the workers comes on top of 600 Ford Geelong job cuts from 2010 when six-cylinder engine production ends.
The company will first ask for volunteer redundancies but spokeswoman Sinead McAlary this week said it had yet to do so.
Ms McAlary said some employees had already shown interest in the redundancy packages.
The Advertiser is also taking employee details as part of its campaign and will pass them onto the interested employers who may be able to offer them work.
EIGHT companies have thrown their support behind the Ford workers who will soon lose their jobs, signing up to the Geelong Advertiser's Jobs Drive campaign.
The employers' interest is a boost to the hundreds of Geelong manufacturing workers to be out of a job by 2010, starting in November.
Their support does not guarantee jobs for the workers but it gives them hope.
Among the eight employers are Target, Parcor, Diversitat, William Adams, McHarry's Buslines and Kempe Installation and Maintenance Services.
They contacted the newspaper in the wake of Ford's announcement last week of its plans to cull up to 350 workers between its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in mid-November.
The blow to the workers comes on top of 600 Ford Geelong job cuts from 2010 when six-cylinder engine production ends.
The company will first ask for volunteer redundancies but spokeswoman Sinead McAlary this week said it had yet to do so.
Ms McAlary said some employees had already shown interest in the redundancy packages.
The Advertiser is also taking employee details as part of its campaign and will pass them onto the interested employers who may be able to offer them work.
Ford puts front foot forward
Global Ford CEO backs Aussie Falcon "as far as I can see", but it may be front-drive
By JAMES STANFORD 26 August 2008 - Go Auto News
FORD Motor Company president and chief executive officer Alan Mulally has confirmed the long-term production future of the Falcon large car in Australia, but has signalled that the next-generation model could be very different to the current one.
Speaking to a select group of media in Melbourne today after meeting with prime minister Kevin Rudd and industry minister Kim Carr yesterday, Mr Mulally said Ford had not yet decided whether its next large-car architecture, upon which the Falcon will be based, would be rear-wheel drive.
Ford is committed to developing one global platform for its large sedans, such as the Falcon in Australia and the Taurus in the US, and earlier this year global product chief Derrick Kuzak confirmed that a RWD large-car development plan was underway.
However, Mr Mulally yesterday revealed that the RWD program was in doubt when he was asked whether fuel economy concerns could see it be replaced with a front-drive or all-wheel drive architecture.
“We haven’t decided that yet, but you are absolutely touching on the essence of it,” he said.
“Rear-wheel drive has some unique capabilities, but it will be yet to be determined whether we keep our unique rear-wheel drive or whether the bigger sedans will need to (be) all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive.”
Asked whether he had a preference for front or rear-wheel drive, Mr Mulally said: “No thoughts yet, it will be driven by what the customer wants and values and especially the fuel economy and the performance.”After answering a series of questions about whether future Falcons would be RWD, Mr Mulally remarked: “You guys are obsessed with this front and rear-wheel drive.”
Then he added: “The front-wheel drive and all-wheel drives are pretty spectacular and they are going to continue to get better.” The FoMoCo chief insisted that Ford Australia’s product development centre would still have an important role to play in future large cars, even if they did not have the RWD basis that resonates so strongly among Australian car consumers and enthusiasts.
“It is the same product development centre whether it is rear-wheel drive or... that is just the piece of technology. We are going to be using our capabilities worldwide in small, medium and large vehicles no matter what – whether they are front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive,” he said.“
"As far as I can see, the expertise we have here in Australia we will utilise for as far as I can see into the future.”Mr Mulally said there would continue to be a market for large cars such as the Falcon, even though sales were declining and small cars were becoming more of a focus for Ford.
“There will be a great market for them,” he said. “I think there will always be a Falcon size, I think there will always be an F150 (pick-up) size, I think there will be a Navigator (large SUV) size. Our best estimate of the market is that it will be about 60 per cent small, 25 per cent medium and about 15 per cent large, but each one of them are really important markets,” he said.
When asked about export potential for the Falcon, Mr Mulally indicated it could be sold around the world, but did not specify whether such a vehicle would be a Falcon or simply a Falcon equivalent that could be produced in the US.“I think the Falcon is a dynamite vehicle first of all and there is going to be a significant market worldwide for the Falcon,” he said.“Right now, the Falcon is for Australia.
We also have an equivalent of the Falcon in the United States and around the world. Now, this leads us to the Ford plan going forward because clearly the real strategy of Ford is to bring together the intellectual capability, the assets of Ford worldwide.“
So part of our plan, we call it One Ford, is to leverage these assets so that over time we will have world-class vehicles in every market segment size including the larger vehicles, so that over time they will become global platforms and then the possibilities are endless because you get the scale up you get the volume up.”
Asked again about actual Falcon exports and when such a program might begin, Mr Mulally indicated that Ford may not necessarily export the Falcon but merely the engineering knowledge behind it – as is currently the case of the T6 Ranger ute being developed in Victoria.
“We aren’t going to go that far to say specifically when, but I think the story if you can capture it is that Ford is moving towards global platforms, the leadership clearly for large vehicles, and for the Ranger and now for the Focus is now going to be out of Australia which is great,” he said.
As if the prospect of a front-wheel drive Falcon was not enough for Australian car enthusiasts, Mr Mulally also indicated that Ford’s powertrain priorities centred on smaller boosted engines – such as those being built under the new EcoBoost program – moreso than V8s. “As you know, there is a lot of opportunity to improve (the) internal combustion engine, especially with turbocharging and especially with direct fuel-injection, so I think we are going to continue to see V8s move to V6s, to V4s,” he said.
“You know, our EcoBoost strategy is to get them across all the vehicles to get the 20 to 25 per cent improvement in miles per gallon and also the 15 per cent reduction in CO2 and get them across all the vehicles as quickly as we can. And then you add that with the weight reduction and aerodynamics and the capability that it brings.
“The market will decide what (powertrain) it really values, but clearly it has to have a chance of using enabling technologies such as turbocharging, direct fuel-injection – these engines are phenomenal engines because as you know you get more torque at lower rpms whether it is manual or automatic, the driving experience with these things is even more exciting and I think the number one consideration right now is fuel prices and fuel economy.
“So I think we are going to continue to move to smaller engines, but we are not going to lose anything out of the performance.”
By JAMES STANFORD 26 August 2008 - Go Auto News
FORD Motor Company president and chief executive officer Alan Mulally has confirmed the long-term production future of the Falcon large car in Australia, but has signalled that the next-generation model could be very different to the current one.
Speaking to a select group of media in Melbourne today after meeting with prime minister Kevin Rudd and industry minister Kim Carr yesterday, Mr Mulally said Ford had not yet decided whether its next large-car architecture, upon which the Falcon will be based, would be rear-wheel drive.
Ford is committed to developing one global platform for its large sedans, such as the Falcon in Australia and the Taurus in the US, and earlier this year global product chief Derrick Kuzak confirmed that a RWD large-car development plan was underway.
However, Mr Mulally yesterday revealed that the RWD program was in doubt when he was asked whether fuel economy concerns could see it be replaced with a front-drive or all-wheel drive architecture.
“We haven’t decided that yet, but you are absolutely touching on the essence of it,” he said.
“Rear-wheel drive has some unique capabilities, but it will be yet to be determined whether we keep our unique rear-wheel drive or whether the bigger sedans will need to (be) all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive.”
Asked whether he had a preference for front or rear-wheel drive, Mr Mulally said: “No thoughts yet, it will be driven by what the customer wants and values and especially the fuel economy and the performance.”After answering a series of questions about whether future Falcons would be RWD, Mr Mulally remarked: “You guys are obsessed with this front and rear-wheel drive.”
Then he added: “The front-wheel drive and all-wheel drives are pretty spectacular and they are going to continue to get better.” The FoMoCo chief insisted that Ford Australia’s product development centre would still have an important role to play in future large cars, even if they did not have the RWD basis that resonates so strongly among Australian car consumers and enthusiasts.
“It is the same product development centre whether it is rear-wheel drive or... that is just the piece of technology. We are going to be using our capabilities worldwide in small, medium and large vehicles no matter what – whether they are front-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive,” he said.“
"As far as I can see, the expertise we have here in Australia we will utilise for as far as I can see into the future.”Mr Mulally said there would continue to be a market for large cars such as the Falcon, even though sales were declining and small cars were becoming more of a focus for Ford.
“There will be a great market for them,” he said. “I think there will always be a Falcon size, I think there will always be an F150 (pick-up) size, I think there will be a Navigator (large SUV) size. Our best estimate of the market is that it will be about 60 per cent small, 25 per cent medium and about 15 per cent large, but each one of them are really important markets,” he said.
When asked about export potential for the Falcon, Mr Mulally indicated it could be sold around the world, but did not specify whether such a vehicle would be a Falcon or simply a Falcon equivalent that could be produced in the US.“I think the Falcon is a dynamite vehicle first of all and there is going to be a significant market worldwide for the Falcon,” he said.“Right now, the Falcon is for Australia.
We also have an equivalent of the Falcon in the United States and around the world. Now, this leads us to the Ford plan going forward because clearly the real strategy of Ford is to bring together the intellectual capability, the assets of Ford worldwide.“
So part of our plan, we call it One Ford, is to leverage these assets so that over time we will have world-class vehicles in every market segment size including the larger vehicles, so that over time they will become global platforms and then the possibilities are endless because you get the scale up you get the volume up.”
Asked again about actual Falcon exports and when such a program might begin, Mr Mulally indicated that Ford may not necessarily export the Falcon but merely the engineering knowledge behind it – as is currently the case of the T6 Ranger ute being developed in Victoria.
“We aren’t going to go that far to say specifically when, but I think the story if you can capture it is that Ford is moving towards global platforms, the leadership clearly for large vehicles, and for the Ranger and now for the Focus is now going to be out of Australia which is great,” he said.
As if the prospect of a front-wheel drive Falcon was not enough for Australian car enthusiasts, Mr Mulally also indicated that Ford’s powertrain priorities centred on smaller boosted engines – such as those being built under the new EcoBoost program – moreso than V8s. “As you know, there is a lot of opportunity to improve (the) internal combustion engine, especially with turbocharging and especially with direct fuel-injection, so I think we are going to continue to see V8s move to V6s, to V4s,” he said.
“You know, our EcoBoost strategy is to get them across all the vehicles to get the 20 to 25 per cent improvement in miles per gallon and also the 15 per cent reduction in CO2 and get them across all the vehicles as quickly as we can. And then you add that with the weight reduction and aerodynamics and the capability that it brings.
“The market will decide what (powertrain) it really values, but clearly it has to have a chance of using enabling technologies such as turbocharging, direct fuel-injection – these engines are phenomenal engines because as you know you get more torque at lower rpms whether it is manual or automatic, the driving experience with these things is even more exciting and I think the number one consideration right now is fuel prices and fuel economy.
“So I think we are going to continue to move to smaller engines, but we are not going to lose anything out of the performance.”
Ford demands extra assistance to compete
The Age- August 26, 2008 - 5:40AM
Ford Australia has put new pressure on the federal government for more financial assistance to remain competitive if tariffs on imported cars are halved beyond 2010.
Ford's international chief executive, Alan Mulally, has met Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Industry Minister Kim Carr, days after Ford Australia announced it would cut up to 350 manufacturing jobs because of flat large-car sales, Fairfax newspapers have reported.
It is believed Mr Mulally told Mr Rudd in a 45-minute meeting that any move to cut tariffs from 10 per cent to 5 per cent in 2010, as recommended in former Victorian premier Steve Bracks' review of the car industry, would require extra "transitional assistance", Fairfax said.
The meeting was described as "very positive" by a Ford spokesman.
"There was discussion about the fact that the market has become increasingly competitive and that, for us to be able to continue to maintain our level of competitiveness in Australia, we need to work with the government on future transitional assistance programs," the spokesman said.
There was no explicit threat from Ford to pull out of Australia, the spokesman said.
"Mr Mulally reiterated the significant investment that Ford has made in Australia over the past 82-plus years, including recent significant investments such as the development of the all-new Falcon and the fact that Australia is the global engineering lead of the corporation's next global light pick-up truck," he said.
"That re-emphasised our commitment to Australia and that it is an ongoing commitment."
Neither Mr Rudd nor Mr Carr commented after the talks
Ford Australia has put new pressure on the federal government for more financial assistance to remain competitive if tariffs on imported cars are halved beyond 2010.
Ford's international chief executive, Alan Mulally, has met Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Industry Minister Kim Carr, days after Ford Australia announced it would cut up to 350 manufacturing jobs because of flat large-car sales, Fairfax newspapers have reported.
It is believed Mr Mulally told Mr Rudd in a 45-minute meeting that any move to cut tariffs from 10 per cent to 5 per cent in 2010, as recommended in former Victorian premier Steve Bracks' review of the car industry, would require extra "transitional assistance", Fairfax said.
The meeting was described as "very positive" by a Ford spokesman.
"There was discussion about the fact that the market has become increasingly competitive and that, for us to be able to continue to maintain our level of competitiveness in Australia, we need to work with the government on future transitional assistance programs," the spokesman said.
There was no explicit threat from Ford to pull out of Australia, the spokesman said.
"Mr Mulally reiterated the significant investment that Ford has made in Australia over the past 82-plus years, including recent significant investments such as the development of the all-new Falcon and the fact that Australia is the global engineering lead of the corporation's next global light pick-up truck," he said.
"That re-emphasised our commitment to Australia and that it is an ongoing commitment."
Neither Mr Rudd nor Mr Carr commented after the talks
Ford job losses to have flow-on effect
Geelong Advertiser - Rebecca Tucker, August 27th, 2008
GEELONG is facing disaster as the automotive industry prepares for the fallout of Ford's latest job cuts, according to the manufacturing union.
Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union car division federal secretary Ian Jones spent yesterday in talks to gauge the full impact of Ford's decision.
"It would be fair to say every automotive distributor in Geelong will be affected by this," Mr Jones said.
He did not want to panic companies but "manufacturing businesses are already running pretty close to the wind in terms of their profit margins".
"Most don't have a profit margin," he said.
On Friday, Ford announced between 300 and 350 jobs would be slashed at its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in mid-November, with car production to be cut by 15 per cent.
By 2010, more than half of Ford Geelong's 1300 manufacturing workers will be out of work after the company's announcement last year of its plan to axe 600 jobs when its six-cylinder engine production ends.
Mr Jones said the flow-on effect would not only hit suppliers, but the education sector could eventually feel the pain.
"The TAFE sector provides training and education on a large scale to the automotive industry so that will feel the effects," he said.
Mr Jones urged the Federal Government to implement the recommendations from a report by former Victorian premier Steve Bracks on the automotive industry.
The union supports much of the report's findings, but does not agree with Mr Bracks' call to reduce the passenger motor vehicle tariff from 10 per cent to 5 per cent by 2010.
Other recommended industry reforms include doubling of the green car innovation fund to $1 billion and establishment of a $2.5 billion automotive transition scheme that would provide subsidies to car manufacturers until 2020.
GEELONG is facing disaster as the automotive industry prepares for the fallout of Ford's latest job cuts, according to the manufacturing union.
Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union car division federal secretary Ian Jones spent yesterday in talks to gauge the full impact of Ford's decision.
"It would be fair to say every automotive distributor in Geelong will be affected by this," Mr Jones said.
He did not want to panic companies but "manufacturing businesses are already running pretty close to the wind in terms of their profit margins".
"Most don't have a profit margin," he said.
On Friday, Ford announced between 300 and 350 jobs would be slashed at its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in mid-November, with car production to be cut by 15 per cent.
By 2010, more than half of Ford Geelong's 1300 manufacturing workers will be out of work after the company's announcement last year of its plan to axe 600 jobs when its six-cylinder engine production ends.
Mr Jones said the flow-on effect would not only hit suppliers, but the education sector could eventually feel the pain.
"The TAFE sector provides training and education on a large scale to the automotive industry so that will feel the effects," he said.
Mr Jones urged the Federal Government to implement the recommendations from a report by former Victorian premier Steve Bracks on the automotive industry.
The union supports much of the report's findings, but does not agree with Mr Bracks' call to reduce the passenger motor vehicle tariff from 10 per cent to 5 per cent by 2010.
Other recommended industry reforms include doubling of the green car innovation fund to $1 billion and establishment of a $2.5 billion automotive transition scheme that would provide subsidies to car manufacturers until 2020.
Ford move puts pressure on Rudd
The Age - Katharine Murphy, Ian Porter and Ben Schneiders, August 23, 2008
KEVIN Rudd is under intense pressure to ditch a critical recommendation of the Bracks car industry review after Ford confirmed that up to 350 jobs will be axed in Victoria, and the Australian chief quit his post.
The Prime Minister will meet Ford's American president and chief executive lan Mulally in Canberra on Monday and will be urged to ignore the Bracks recommendation to halve the automotive tariff by 2010.
After confirming the looming job losses at Broadmeadows and Geelong yesterday, Ford Australia president Bill Osborne added to the sense of disquiet in the sector by announcing he had resigned after just six months.
Mr Osborne will be in Canberra with Mr Mulally on Monday for talks with Mr Rudd and Industry Minister Kim Carr, but will finish as Ford's Australian chief next month.
With Cabinet poised to consider its response to the Bracks review, the car makers and unions are urging the Government to maintain protection for the sector and increase taxpayer support.
The Government's decision on tariffs will be a key test of its economic credentials, and Australia has trade commitments with other nations that require continued liberalisation.
But Ford's move to cut production by up to 25% would have a disastrous effect on the car parts sector, unions and industry groups warned yesterday, with one estimate that overall job losses could be in the thousands.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union vehicle secretary Ian Jones said many suppliers were already close to going out of business with three unnamed businesses "in very serious strife" because of the "collapse of automotive manufacturing".
Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers chief executive Anna Greco said Ford's decision would put "even more pressure" on the parts sector where many companies were "teetering on the brink".
"When your industry is already under incredible pressure, every additional pressure ends up making more and more businesses marginal," she said.
AMWU national secretary Dave Oliver said flow-on effects from the jobs lost at Ford's Broadmeadows and Geelong plants would be large.
"The general rule of thumb, for one job lost in a car plant there's a knock-on effect of maybe six or seven (times that amount)," he said. "So … it's going to have a significant impact."
Mr Oliver called for an immediate meeting of government, industry and unions to implement the recommendations from the Bracks report, apart from the proposed cuts to tariffs from the current 10%.
"There should be a freeze on tariffs, we said all along why would Australia proceed to reduce our tariffs at a time when the rest of the world isn't," Mr Oliver said.
Unions put a question mark over Holden as well, but the company said it had no announcements.
Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary has said rising fuel prices and changing consumer preferences had caused a decline in demand for large cars. She said production of the four-cylinder Focus would start by 2011 as Ford changed direction.
Mr Osborne said he still had "100% confidence" in Ford Australia's future.
"Since I've come on board, we have launched, and gotten approval for, a different business plan for Ford Australia over the next five years," he said.
"We're now positioning ourselves to be a regional, if not global, player … so we have to set our sights in terms of quality and cost on the best in the industry."
KEVIN Rudd is under intense pressure to ditch a critical recommendation of the Bracks car industry review after Ford confirmed that up to 350 jobs will be axed in Victoria, and the Australian chief quit his post.
The Prime Minister will meet Ford's American president and chief executive lan Mulally in Canberra on Monday and will be urged to ignore the Bracks recommendation to halve the automotive tariff by 2010.
After confirming the looming job losses at Broadmeadows and Geelong yesterday, Ford Australia president Bill Osborne added to the sense of disquiet in the sector by announcing he had resigned after just six months.
Mr Osborne will be in Canberra with Mr Mulally on Monday for talks with Mr Rudd and Industry Minister Kim Carr, but will finish as Ford's Australian chief next month.
With Cabinet poised to consider its response to the Bracks review, the car makers and unions are urging the Government to maintain protection for the sector and increase taxpayer support.
The Government's decision on tariffs will be a key test of its economic credentials, and Australia has trade commitments with other nations that require continued liberalisation.
But Ford's move to cut production by up to 25% would have a disastrous effect on the car parts sector, unions and industry groups warned yesterday, with one estimate that overall job losses could be in the thousands.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union vehicle secretary Ian Jones said many suppliers were already close to going out of business with three unnamed businesses "in very serious strife" because of the "collapse of automotive manufacturing".
Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers chief executive Anna Greco said Ford's decision would put "even more pressure" on the parts sector where many companies were "teetering on the brink".
"When your industry is already under incredible pressure, every additional pressure ends up making more and more businesses marginal," she said.
AMWU national secretary Dave Oliver said flow-on effects from the jobs lost at Ford's Broadmeadows and Geelong plants would be large.
"The general rule of thumb, for one job lost in a car plant there's a knock-on effect of maybe six or seven (times that amount)," he said. "So … it's going to have a significant impact."
Mr Oliver called for an immediate meeting of government, industry and unions to implement the recommendations from the Bracks report, apart from the proposed cuts to tariffs from the current 10%.
"There should be a freeze on tariffs, we said all along why would Australia proceed to reduce our tariffs at a time when the rest of the world isn't," Mr Oliver said.
Unions put a question mark over Holden as well, but the company said it had no announcements.
Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary has said rising fuel prices and changing consumer preferences had caused a decline in demand for large cars. She said production of the four-cylinder Focus would start by 2011 as Ford changed direction.
Mr Osborne said he still had "100% confidence" in Ford Australia's future.
"Since I've come on board, we have launched, and gotten approval for, a different business plan for Ford Australia over the next five years," he said.
"We're now positioning ourselves to be a regional, if not global, player … so we have to set our sights in terms of quality and cost on the best in the industry."
Help us find them work
Geelong Advertiser - August 23rd, 2008
TODAY the Geelong Advertiser launches a major campaign to help find jobs for each and every retrenched Ford worker who wishes to remain in the workforce.
We encourage any Ford employee looking for new employment to contact us and we will, through the pages of the newspaper, lobby the wider business community to give them a job.
We will create and manage a register of Ford workers, hand over our column space to profile their unique talents and showcase their abilities to potential employers.
In essence, we will be their champion.
And your business can be their champion, too.
We want to involve the entire business community in this positive response to undeniably bad news.
How can you help?
What ideas will you bring to the table?
How can you make a difference and provide a way forward for the families of Ford workers fearing the worst.
We know the city is undergoing a transformation in its workforce. Our blue collars are becoming whiter. The rumble of the factories is being deafened by the sounds of tapping keyboards and many in our skilled workforce are struggling to keep pace.
Geelong Advertiser editor Peter Judd said the newspaper was committed to the campaign for the greater good of the Geelong community.
"This is a time for Geelong to work together to help those Ford families fearing for their secure futures," Mr Judd said.
"We, as a newspaper, can play a vital role in promoting the skills and attributes of these skilled tradesmen and women as we seek to find them meaningful employment in Geelong.
"Yesterday's job losses announcement need not be all doom and gloom. If we, as a community can rally and find jobs for the Ford factory workers, then Geelong will emerge much stronger as a result."
TODAY the Geelong Advertiser launches a major campaign to help find jobs for each and every retrenched Ford worker who wishes to remain in the workforce.
We encourage any Ford employee looking for new employment to contact us and we will, through the pages of the newspaper, lobby the wider business community to give them a job.
We will create and manage a register of Ford workers, hand over our column space to profile their unique talents and showcase their abilities to potential employers.
In essence, we will be their champion.
And your business can be their champion, too.
We want to involve the entire business community in this positive response to undeniably bad news.
How can you help?
What ideas will you bring to the table?
How can you make a difference and provide a way forward for the families of Ford workers fearing the worst.
We know the city is undergoing a transformation in its workforce. Our blue collars are becoming whiter. The rumble of the factories is being deafened by the sounds of tapping keyboards and many in our skilled workforce are struggling to keep pace.
Geelong Advertiser editor Peter Judd said the newspaper was committed to the campaign for the greater good of the Geelong community.
"This is a time for Geelong to work together to help those Ford families fearing for their secure futures," Mr Judd said.
"We, as a newspaper, can play a vital role in promoting the skills and attributes of these skilled tradesmen and women as we seek to find them meaningful employment in Geelong.
"Yesterday's job losses announcement need not be all doom and gloom. If we, as a community can rally and find jobs for the Ford factory workers, then Geelong will emerge much stronger as a result."
Shattered workers digest grim news
Geelong Advertiser, Britt Smith - August 23rd, 2008
MORALE among workers at Ford Australia's Geelong factory was at an all-time low yesterday after the announcement of more job cuts.
Shattered staff said their futures with the company had never been so uncertain as they digested the grim news handed down in late-morning meetings.
"It's a waiting game," administrator Geoff Guy said after he heard the company would slash production by up to 25 per cent before the end of year. "People are sad and disappointed, some just shrug their shoulders and think, 'there is nothing we can do about it'.
"We have been through crap before, but there has always been a bit of light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully things will pick up here again with the production of a small car."
Ford Australia spokeswoman Sinead McAlary said the company planned to hire about 300 staff when it started production of the Ford Focus in 2011.
That will add another 40,000 units back into production, she said.
Senior steward Brendan Sexton believes there's a chance of stabilising local jobs, but only with Federal Government assistance.
"We are hoping (Ford's) fortunes can be turned around. That's the only positive I can take out of it," he said
But few workers shared in the positive outlook.
Instead, those who commented to waiting media turned their thoughts to the disastrous affects on their personal lives.
"I have four mouths to feed and a mortgage," an engine plant electrician said.
"Everyone is a bit cranky, a bit shell shocked."
Some said they saw it coming.
Hopes of a stable future for the Blue Oval in Geelong were dashed earlier this year after the announcement that 600 jobs would be lost when local six-cylinder engine production ended in 2010. Now the feeling is even more sombre.
"It's a sad day for Geelong," one worker said.
"You may as well turn the lights off and go somewhere sunny."
MORALE among workers at Ford Australia's Geelong factory was at an all-time low yesterday after the announcement of more job cuts.
Shattered staff said their futures with the company had never been so uncertain as they digested the grim news handed down in late-morning meetings.
"It's a waiting game," administrator Geoff Guy said after he heard the company would slash production by up to 25 per cent before the end of year. "People are sad and disappointed, some just shrug their shoulders and think, 'there is nothing we can do about it'.
"We have been through crap before, but there has always been a bit of light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully things will pick up here again with the production of a small car."
Ford Australia spokeswoman Sinead McAlary said the company planned to hire about 300 staff when it started production of the Ford Focus in 2011.
That will add another 40,000 units back into production, she said.
Senior steward Brendan Sexton believes there's a chance of stabilising local jobs, but only with Federal Government assistance.
"We are hoping (Ford's) fortunes can be turned around. That's the only positive I can take out of it," he said
But few workers shared in the positive outlook.
Instead, those who commented to waiting media turned their thoughts to the disastrous affects on their personal lives.
"I have four mouths to feed and a mortgage," an engine plant electrician said.
"Everyone is a bit cranky, a bit shell shocked."
Some said they saw it coming.
Hopes of a stable future for the Blue Oval in Geelong were dashed earlier this year after the announcement that 600 jobs would be lost when local six-cylinder engine production ended in 2010. Now the feeling is even more sombre.
"It's a sad day for Geelong," one worker said.
"You may as well turn the lights off and go somewhere sunny."
Hundreds of Ford workers facing the axe
Geelong Advertiser, Rebecca Tucker - August 23rd, 2008
MORE than half Ford Geelong's 1300 manufacturing workers will lose their jobs after the company yesterday announced it would slash production by up to 25 per cent.
The news sent shockwaves through the Geelong plant yesterday, still reeling from Ford Australia's decision in July last year to axe 600 jobs from Geelong when its six-cylinder engine production ends in 2010.
The latest cuts will be more immediate with Ford confirming between 300 and 350 jobs will be slashed at the Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in mid-November.
As the shock news filtered to staff, workers were also sent an email announcing Ford president Bill Osborne's resignation.
The email, which a worker showed the Geelong Advertiser at the plant, said Mr Osborne, previously the head of Ford Canada, had accepted a job in North America and that his decision was not related to yesterday's announcement.
Mr Osborne later said he would leave almost immediately to take a job that was not in the automotive industry and that his decision was personal.
Ford blamed fuel prices and other economic concerns for its decision to cut car production by 15 per cent, from 52 units an hour to 40. The cuts will reduce its car manufacture from 365 to 285 a day.
That was cold comfort to the Geelong workers who last night went home not knowing if they would have a job at Christmas time.
As the news hit the media, plant supervisors were meeting with workers to tell them the grim news.
Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary told the Geelong Advertiser she could not say how many Geelong jobs would be axed but said the losses would be voluntary and expected a 50 per cent split across both plants.
She said it was "a difficult day" for Ford but the company believed its future would be positive, with plans for a new engine in 2010 and production of the Focus to begin at Broadmeadows in 2011.
She denied staff had been kept in the dark about Ford's plans and said management addressed union representatives as soon as the decision was made this week.
Ms McAlary said Ford would continue to support Geelong and the news did not mean the death knell for the company, which has a historic base in the town.
She said Ford was committed to contributing to the Federal Government's $24 million Geelong Investment and Innovation Fund announced in time for last year's job cuts.
The Government on Thursday opened the final round of grants from the fund, which offers grants for projects to create new jobs and investment in the region, as Federal Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Minister Kim Carr was in Geelong to launch a $20 million innovative regions centre to be based at Waurn Ponds.
Former Premier Steve Bracks last week released his review of the automotive industry, recommending tariffs on imported cars be halved to 5 per cent by 2010, despite job loss fears.
MORE than half Ford Geelong's 1300 manufacturing workers will lose their jobs after the company yesterday announced it would slash production by up to 25 per cent.
The news sent shockwaves through the Geelong plant yesterday, still reeling from Ford Australia's decision in July last year to axe 600 jobs from Geelong when its six-cylinder engine production ends in 2010.
The latest cuts will be more immediate with Ford confirming between 300 and 350 jobs will be slashed at the Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in mid-November.
As the shock news filtered to staff, workers were also sent an email announcing Ford president Bill Osborne's resignation.
The email, which a worker showed the Geelong Advertiser at the plant, said Mr Osborne, previously the head of Ford Canada, had accepted a job in North America and that his decision was not related to yesterday's announcement.
Mr Osborne later said he would leave almost immediately to take a job that was not in the automotive industry and that his decision was personal.
Ford blamed fuel prices and other economic concerns for its decision to cut car production by 15 per cent, from 52 units an hour to 40. The cuts will reduce its car manufacture from 365 to 285 a day.
That was cold comfort to the Geelong workers who last night went home not knowing if they would have a job at Christmas time.
As the news hit the media, plant supervisors were meeting with workers to tell them the grim news.
Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary told the Geelong Advertiser she could not say how many Geelong jobs would be axed but said the losses would be voluntary and expected a 50 per cent split across both plants.
She said it was "a difficult day" for Ford but the company believed its future would be positive, with plans for a new engine in 2010 and production of the Focus to begin at Broadmeadows in 2011.
She denied staff had been kept in the dark about Ford's plans and said management addressed union representatives as soon as the decision was made this week.
Ms McAlary said Ford would continue to support Geelong and the news did not mean the death knell for the company, which has a historic base in the town.
She said Ford was committed to contributing to the Federal Government's $24 million Geelong Investment and Innovation Fund announced in time for last year's job cuts.
The Government on Thursday opened the final round of grants from the fund, which offers grants for projects to create new jobs and investment in the region, as Federal Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Minister Kim Carr was in Geelong to launch a $20 million innovative regions centre to be based at Waurn Ponds.
Former Premier Steve Bracks last week released his review of the automotive industry, recommending tariffs on imported cars be halved to 5 per cent by 2010, despite job loss fears.
Ford Australia boss resigns suddenly
Richard Blackburn, drive.com.au, August 22, 2008
Ford Australia boss Bill Osborne has resigned suddenly, less than 24 hours after the company announced it would cut 350 jobs. Ford Australia has been dealt another blow with the shock resignation of its newly appointed president Bill Osborne after just six months in the role.
Osborne, who previously headed up Ford of Canada, will leave the company almost immediately to take up a role outside the automotive industry in North America.
"The decision I made is a very personal one," said Osborne. "It in no way reflects dissatisfaction with Ford and doesn’t reflect a lack of ongoing confidence in the company. I can’t tell you how difficult this decision is. This is a fantastic company. I retain 100 per cent confidence in Ford Australia."
The shock announcement came less than 24 hours after Ford announced it would cut 350 workers from its Broadmeadows and Geelong plants and scale back production of its all-new FG Falcon due to soft sales and the worsening economic climate.
Osborne will head back to the US to take up a position as CEO of "an independent company", something he says has been a lifelong dream. “An opportunity has come my way sooner than I expected. I felt I had to take that opportunity now," said Osborne, who will leave the automotive industry after 31 years. "It’s just unfortunate that it comes at a time of great challenges in the industry but in no way reflects those challenges." Osborne says he is "quite saddened to be leaving Ford of Australia" but says there is a "good strong team in place and strong future". In a brief statement issued this afternoon Ford Motor Company executive vice president of Asia
Pacific and Africa, John Parker, says a replacement for Osborne will be announced “in due course”. "Bill has made significant contributions during his career with Ford Motor Company, and we wish him and his family all the best with his future endeavour," Parker says in the statement. "Ford Australia will continue to play a vital role in the future success of Ford Motor Company and within the Asia Pacific and Africa region, with greater input and alignment across all areas of the business, particularly product development, information technology, purchasing and marketing and sales," he says.
Osborne came to Ford at a difficult time for the company, which has been battered by poor sales of its bread and butter cars, the Ford Falcon and Territory.
Sales of large Australian-made cars have struggled in recent years due to a number of factors. The strong Australian dollar and implementation of a free trade agreement has made imported vehicles more attractive.
More recently, rising fuel prices has encouraged buyers into smaller, more effecient vehicles. Osborne's imminent resignation is the latest in a string of changes at the top of Ford and Holden.
Holden has had three managing directors in the last two years.
Ford Australia boss Bill Osborne has resigned suddenly, less than 24 hours after the company announced it would cut 350 jobs. Ford Australia has been dealt another blow with the shock resignation of its newly appointed president Bill Osborne after just six months in the role.
Osborne, who previously headed up Ford of Canada, will leave the company almost immediately to take up a role outside the automotive industry in North America.
"The decision I made is a very personal one," said Osborne. "It in no way reflects dissatisfaction with Ford and doesn’t reflect a lack of ongoing confidence in the company. I can’t tell you how difficult this decision is. This is a fantastic company. I retain 100 per cent confidence in Ford Australia."
The shock announcement came less than 24 hours after Ford announced it would cut 350 workers from its Broadmeadows and Geelong plants and scale back production of its all-new FG Falcon due to soft sales and the worsening economic climate.
Osborne will head back to the US to take up a position as CEO of "an independent company", something he says has been a lifelong dream. “An opportunity has come my way sooner than I expected. I felt I had to take that opportunity now," said Osborne, who will leave the automotive industry after 31 years. "It’s just unfortunate that it comes at a time of great challenges in the industry but in no way reflects those challenges." Osborne says he is "quite saddened to be leaving Ford of Australia" but says there is a "good strong team in place and strong future". In a brief statement issued this afternoon Ford Motor Company executive vice president of Asia
Pacific and Africa, John Parker, says a replacement for Osborne will be announced “in due course”. "Bill has made significant contributions during his career with Ford Motor Company, and we wish him and his family all the best with his future endeavour," Parker says in the statement. "Ford Australia will continue to play a vital role in the future success of Ford Motor Company and within the Asia Pacific and Africa region, with greater input and alignment across all areas of the business, particularly product development, information technology, purchasing and marketing and sales," he says.
Osborne came to Ford at a difficult time for the company, which has been battered by poor sales of its bread and butter cars, the Ford Falcon and Territory.
Sales of large Australian-made cars have struggled in recent years due to a number of factors. The strong Australian dollar and implementation of a free trade agreement has made imported vehicles more attractive.
More recently, rising fuel prices has encouraged buyers into smaller, more effecient vehicles. Osborne's imminent resignation is the latest in a string of changes at the top of Ford and Holden.
Holden has had three managing directors in the last two years.
Ford cuts could cost 2000 jobs: union
Ewin Hannan August 22, 2008
TWO thousand jobs could be lost in the automotive components sector as a result of Ford Australia¿s decision to cut 350 positions from its Victorian plants.
Unions warned today that for every job removed at Ford, six to seven could be lost across the industry. Ford blamed economic conditions, rising petrol prices and changing consumer demand for the fresh round of redundancies at its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants from November.
The cuts follows Ford's announcement earlier this year that 600 jobs would be lost when local six-cylinder engine production ends in 2010. Dave Oliver, national secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, said workers were concerned about the ramifications of Ford’s decision. “”The rule of thumb that’s applied is for that every one direct job you lose in the car plant, there’s another six or seven lost in services and indirect jobs in the auto components sectors,’’ he told The Australian Online.
Mr Oliver said the recent review by former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks found there were ‘’significant stresses and strains in the auto component industry’’. “”We’re worried that today’s announcement may tip some companies over or put them right to the edge,’’ he said. “”That’s why it’s important that Kevin Rudd doesn’t sit around for too long on the recommendations contained in the Bracks report.
"They need to be making decisions sooner rather than later particularly the backend about creating the environment which would attract investment, and give some certainty for potential investors. ”At the same time, (the Government) should reject the notion about reducing tariffs further from 10 to five per cent. Today’s another good example of the pressures that are on the industry and it makes no senses to us that if you would move to reduce the tariffs at a time when the industry is going on to transition’’.
Federal Industry Minister Kim Carr said he expected further job losses.
``We know that the industry is facing these acute challenges and I can't say with any certainty that there won't be further announcements in regard to job losses,'' he told Sky News. Senator
Carr continued to insist that tariff levels were a secondary issue, blaming the Howard government for a decade of inaction.
TWO thousand jobs could be lost in the automotive components sector as a result of Ford Australia¿s decision to cut 350 positions from its Victorian plants.
Unions warned today that for every job removed at Ford, six to seven could be lost across the industry. Ford blamed economic conditions, rising petrol prices and changing consumer demand for the fresh round of redundancies at its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants from November.
The cuts follows Ford's announcement earlier this year that 600 jobs would be lost when local six-cylinder engine production ends in 2010. Dave Oliver, national secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, said workers were concerned about the ramifications of Ford’s decision. “”The rule of thumb that’s applied is for that every one direct job you lose in the car plant, there’s another six or seven lost in services and indirect jobs in the auto components sectors,’’ he told The Australian Online.
Mr Oliver said the recent review by former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks found there were ‘’significant stresses and strains in the auto component industry’’. “”We’re worried that today’s announcement may tip some companies over or put them right to the edge,’’ he said. “”That’s why it’s important that Kevin Rudd doesn’t sit around for too long on the recommendations contained in the Bracks report.
"They need to be making decisions sooner rather than later particularly the backend about creating the environment which would attract investment, and give some certainty for potential investors. ”At the same time, (the Government) should reject the notion about reducing tariffs further from 10 to five per cent. Today’s another good example of the pressures that are on the industry and it makes no senses to us that if you would move to reduce the tariffs at a time when the industry is going on to transition’’.
Federal Industry Minister Kim Carr said he expected further job losses.
``We know that the industry is facing these acute challenges and I can't say with any certainty that there won't be further announcements in regard to job losses,'' he told Sky News. Senator
Carr continued to insist that tariff levels were a secondary issue, blaming the Howard government for a decade of inaction.
Ford to slash 350 jobs
Geelong Advertiser - August 22nd, 2008
BREAKING NEWS - Ford Australia is set to slash up to 350 jobs at its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in response to lagging sales of six-cylinder cars.
The redundancies will affect workers at the two factories in mid-November. Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary said changing consumer preferences, rising fuel prices and economic factors had caused a decline in the large car segment. As a result, the company will reduce the speed of its production line by 20 to 25 per cent, slashing car production from 52 units an hour to 40. This will mean about 285 cars will be produced a day, compared to the current 365, Ms McAlary said.
Management at Ford's Geelong plant is holding ``rushed'' meetings this morning as staff await a formal announcement about its latest job cuts, a worker has said.
Maintenance worker Robert Lock told the Geelong Advertiser news of the sackings filtered through the Norlane factory late yesterday but some learned of the redundancies through the media.
``We heard yesterday afternoon from one of our bosses and last night on TV about Broadmeadows losing so many jobs, and again this morning. But there's been no official confirmation from management. They are holding rushed meetings this morning,'' he said.
``My managers haven't told us as yet. There are rolling meetings going on throughout the day. I am not sure when we will be told.''
Ford said the sackings were in response to a lagging large car market and, as a result, the company will reduce the speed of its production line by 20 to 25 per cent, slashing car production from 52 units an hour to 40. Up to 350 jobs will be cut from both factories before the end of this year.
Mr Lock, an employee of 37 years, said morale at Norlane was ``very low''.
``It's a tough road to hoe, a lot of people are worried. Most are aged between mid-40s and 20, they have mortgages and young families. A lot are worried about where the money is going to come from,'' he said.
``They will first call for voluntary redundancies and if they don't get the numbers I think they will start tapping people on the shoulder. It's an inevitable thing."
``We could see it coming. We closely watch the sales figures.''
Mr Lock said staff were yesterday warned via email to expect more down days where production would stop and workers were paid 50 per cent of their daily wage to stay at home.
Ms McAlary said the job losses would be voluntary and evenly split between the Geelong and Broadmeadows plants. Ford anticipated the whole car industry would experience a downturn for the rest of the year. ``We expect the total industry to soften for the second half of this year,'' she told AAP. ``It started in July and we anticipate that we'll see more of these actions across the industry for the rest of this year. But Ms McAlary said the company planned to hire about 300 staff when it started production of the Ford Focus in 2011. That will add another 40,000 units back into production, she said. ``What we've said previously is that to cater for that we'll have to hire approximately 300 (staff) but unfortunately the action we have to take now is to manage the business in the interim.'' Ms McAlary said Ford would work with the union in line with the agreement with employees to manage the redundancies.
The new cuts follows Ford's announcement earlier this year that 600 jobs would be lost when local six-cylinder engine production ends in 2010.
The decision comes at a turbulent time for Australia's automotive industry. Holden has already axed 1100 jobs in Melbourne and Adelaide.
BREAKING NEWS - Ford Australia is set to slash up to 350 jobs at its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in response to lagging sales of six-cylinder cars.
The redundancies will affect workers at the two factories in mid-November. Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary said changing consumer preferences, rising fuel prices and economic factors had caused a decline in the large car segment. As a result, the company will reduce the speed of its production line by 20 to 25 per cent, slashing car production from 52 units an hour to 40. This will mean about 285 cars will be produced a day, compared to the current 365, Ms McAlary said.
Management at Ford's Geelong plant is holding ``rushed'' meetings this morning as staff await a formal announcement about its latest job cuts, a worker has said.
Maintenance worker Robert Lock told the Geelong Advertiser news of the sackings filtered through the Norlane factory late yesterday but some learned of the redundancies through the media.
``We heard yesterday afternoon from one of our bosses and last night on TV about Broadmeadows losing so many jobs, and again this morning. But there's been no official confirmation from management. They are holding rushed meetings this morning,'' he said.
``My managers haven't told us as yet. There are rolling meetings going on throughout the day. I am not sure when we will be told.''
Ford said the sackings were in response to a lagging large car market and, as a result, the company will reduce the speed of its production line by 20 to 25 per cent, slashing car production from 52 units an hour to 40. Up to 350 jobs will be cut from both factories before the end of this year.
Mr Lock, an employee of 37 years, said morale at Norlane was ``very low''.
``It's a tough road to hoe, a lot of people are worried. Most are aged between mid-40s and 20, they have mortgages and young families. A lot are worried about where the money is going to come from,'' he said.
``They will first call for voluntary redundancies and if they don't get the numbers I think they will start tapping people on the shoulder. It's an inevitable thing."
``We could see it coming. We closely watch the sales figures.''
Mr Lock said staff were yesterday warned via email to expect more down days where production would stop and workers were paid 50 per cent of their daily wage to stay at home.
Ms McAlary said the job losses would be voluntary and evenly split between the Geelong and Broadmeadows plants. Ford anticipated the whole car industry would experience a downturn for the rest of the year. ``We expect the total industry to soften for the second half of this year,'' she told AAP. ``It started in July and we anticipate that we'll see more of these actions across the industry for the rest of this year. But Ms McAlary said the company planned to hire about 300 staff when it started production of the Ford Focus in 2011. That will add another 40,000 units back into production, she said. ``What we've said previously is that to cater for that we'll have to hire approximately 300 (staff) but unfortunately the action we have to take now is to manage the business in the interim.'' Ms McAlary said Ford would work with the union in line with the agreement with employees to manage the redundancies.
The new cuts follows Ford's announcement earlier this year that 600 jobs would be lost when local six-cylinder engine production ends in 2010.
The decision comes at a turbulent time for Australia's automotive industry. Holden has already axed 1100 jobs in Melbourne and Adelaide.
Falcon hopes ride on 5-star safety rating
Geelong Advertiser - Britt Smith, August 7th, 2008
FORD Australia hopes a new five-star safety rating for its latest Falcon will help secure the company's future in Geelong, its president said yesterday.
The FG Falcon sedan range, which is partly manufactured at Ford's Norlane plant, achieved the top score in the latest round of the Australian New Car Assessment Program.
It is the first Australian-built car to be awarded a five-star rating.
The achievement comes little more than a year after Ford announced the closure of its Norlane engine assembly plant, costing 600 jobs.
The blue oval has previously said it would try to absorb the employees who will lose their jobs, and the federal and state governments responded with a $24 million assistance package.
Yesterday Ford Australia's president Bill Osborne said the company was "working on a plan for a better future".
"It's unfortunate that we are in a situation where we couldn't afford to continue operations in Geelong with such small volumes." he told the Geelong Advertiser.
"Our goal is not to abandon Geelong, our goal is to try to create a more viable Ford for Australia so we can create more long-term security for all our employees.
"So we just ask them for their patience and to keep hanging in there with us."
The FG Falcon's shell and engines are assembled in Geelong, but after the closure, new V6 engines for its locally produced models will be imported.
Mr Osborne said the Falcon had a great future in Australia and while the large car segment had dramatically declined, Ford's performance remained strong.
He commended Geelong's contribution to the five-star rating, and hoped staff were proud of the achievement.
The Falcon was awarded 34.6 points out of a possible 37, marginally ahead of European luxury cars including the Volvo V70, Audi A6 and the Mercedes C-Class.
Local rival Holden VE Commodore received a four-star rating.
ANCAP conducted more than 5000 simulated and 426 physical crash tests, examining safety features including airbags, electronic stability, braking, driver fatigue warnings and a reverse sensing system.
FORD Australia hopes a new five-star safety rating for its latest Falcon will help secure the company's future in Geelong, its president said yesterday.
The FG Falcon sedan range, which is partly manufactured at Ford's Norlane plant, achieved the top score in the latest round of the Australian New Car Assessment Program.
It is the first Australian-built car to be awarded a five-star rating.
The achievement comes little more than a year after Ford announced the closure of its Norlane engine assembly plant, costing 600 jobs.
The blue oval has previously said it would try to absorb the employees who will lose their jobs, and the federal and state governments responded with a $24 million assistance package.
Yesterday Ford Australia's president Bill Osborne said the company was "working on a plan for a better future".
"It's unfortunate that we are in a situation where we couldn't afford to continue operations in Geelong with such small volumes." he told the Geelong Advertiser.
"Our goal is not to abandon Geelong, our goal is to try to create a more viable Ford for Australia so we can create more long-term security for all our employees.
"So we just ask them for their patience and to keep hanging in there with us."
The FG Falcon's shell and engines are assembled in Geelong, but after the closure, new V6 engines for its locally produced models will be imported.
Mr Osborne said the Falcon had a great future in Australia and while the large car segment had dramatically declined, Ford's performance remained strong.
He commended Geelong's contribution to the five-star rating, and hoped staff were proud of the achievement.
The Falcon was awarded 34.6 points out of a possible 37, marginally ahead of European luxury cars including the Volvo V70, Audi A6 and the Mercedes C-Class.
Local rival Holden VE Commodore received a four-star rating.
ANCAP conducted more than 5000 simulated and 426 physical crash tests, examining safety features including airbags, electronic stability, braking, driver fatigue warnings and a reverse sensing system.
Engine Room Lacking
Ford's engineering flaw shocks union
Geelong Advertiser - Kerri-Ann Hobbs, August 6th, 2008
FORD'S new Falcon, complete with new V6 engine, will be ready by 2010 despite an engineering hiccup that means the motor doesn't fit the vehicle.
The blue circle's flagship vehicle's sizing problem was not unusual and was part of the engineering process, according to Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary.
But unions have questioned whether the set-back will mean some of the 600-odd staff at the company's Geelong engine plant would need to work past the 2010 dismissal date in order to fix the glitch.
"There is nothing outside the usual engineering development process," Ms McAlary said.
"The engine is being developed and there is nothing unusual outside the normal process.
"The program is proceeding as planned."
Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) car division federal secretary Ian Jones said he was shocked to learn the engine was too big for the motor well, preventing the bonnet from closing.
"We haven't been able to confirm what people will be required to stay on."
"As I understand it there is an issue in respect to funding the engineering."
"It may mean that they (Ford) have to hang on to their current engine."
In July 2007, Ford Australia announced its Norlane engine plant was to close in two years, with 600 job cuts, but 60 people from the defunct casting plant could be redeployed to other roles.
Meanwhile Ford Australia is today expected to officially announce that safety regulators have given the new Falcon a five-star rating - the highest safety ranking in the competitive family car market.
Geelong Advertiser - Kerri-Ann Hobbs, August 6th, 2008
FORD'S new Falcon, complete with new V6 engine, will be ready by 2010 despite an engineering hiccup that means the motor doesn't fit the vehicle.
The blue circle's flagship vehicle's sizing problem was not unusual and was part of the engineering process, according to Ford spokeswoman Sinead McAlary.
But unions have questioned whether the set-back will mean some of the 600-odd staff at the company's Geelong engine plant would need to work past the 2010 dismissal date in order to fix the glitch.
"There is nothing outside the usual engineering development process," Ms McAlary said.
"The engine is being developed and there is nothing unusual outside the normal process.
"The program is proceeding as planned."
Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) car division federal secretary Ian Jones said he was shocked to learn the engine was too big for the motor well, preventing the bonnet from closing.
"We haven't been able to confirm what people will be required to stay on."
"As I understand it there is an issue in respect to funding the engineering."
"It may mean that they (Ford) have to hang on to their current engine."
In July 2007, Ford Australia announced its Norlane engine plant was to close in two years, with 600 job cuts, but 60 people from the defunct casting plant could be redeployed to other roles.
Meanwhile Ford Australia is today expected to officially announce that safety regulators have given the new Falcon a five-star rating - the highest safety ranking in the competitive family car market.
Union generates plan for saving engine jobs
Andrew Mathieson 30th May 2008 09:42:13 AM - Geelong Independent
GAS-fired power from Geelong-made car engines could save the jobs of Ford workers under a radical union plan.
Car manufacturing unions are scrambling to sell to industries the value of Ford’s six-cylinder engines as electricity generators.
The unions hope the new use for the engines will save some of the 600 jobs Geelong will lose when Ford closes its six-cylinder plant in 2010.
Industry and Trade Minister Theo Theophanous told state parliament that excess heat from the engines – called cogeneration – should be used to “produce other forms of energy”. “These engines, which have traditionally gone into Ford cars, are suitable for conversion to a stationary product which, using gas and with the attachment of a generator, would be able to generate electricity,” he said.
Labor Upper House MP Evan Thornley was keen about the potential for saving the jobs of workers at the Geelong plant. “I believe there is an opportunity there for an industry to develop around that facility that will not only potentially continue the life of that facility for many years to come but potentially create a hub for a distributed co-generation industry,” he said.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union national secretary Ian Jones warned a cogeneration industry in Geelong was still an “embryonic concept”. “We’re looking at the possibilities for Geelong workers and Geelong manufacturing industry to continue to thrive,” he said. Mr Jones said it was still “far too early” to estimate how many Geelong jobs the union plan could save. Ford would no longer have any involvement in engine production after 2010 but its workers would have the expertise to “power things other than cars”, he said. “We think that the in-line six at Ford is one of the best engines in the world for static use,” he said. “It just seems, given this being the case and given we have one of the few manufacturing plants in the world that actually makes them, that seems it’s a bit silly to give it away.”
GAS-fired power from Geelong-made car engines could save the jobs of Ford workers under a radical union plan.
Car manufacturing unions are scrambling to sell to industries the value of Ford’s six-cylinder engines as electricity generators.
The unions hope the new use for the engines will save some of the 600 jobs Geelong will lose when Ford closes its six-cylinder plant in 2010.
Industry and Trade Minister Theo Theophanous told state parliament that excess heat from the engines – called cogeneration – should be used to “produce other forms of energy”. “These engines, which have traditionally gone into Ford cars, are suitable for conversion to a stationary product which, using gas and with the attachment of a generator, would be able to generate electricity,” he said.
Labor Upper House MP Evan Thornley was keen about the potential for saving the jobs of workers at the Geelong plant. “I believe there is an opportunity there for an industry to develop around that facility that will not only potentially continue the life of that facility for many years to come but potentially create a hub for a distributed co-generation industry,” he said.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union national secretary Ian Jones warned a cogeneration industry in Geelong was still an “embryonic concept”. “We’re looking at the possibilities for Geelong workers and Geelong manufacturing industry to continue to thrive,” he said. Mr Jones said it was still “far too early” to estimate how many Geelong jobs the union plan could save. Ford would no longer have any involvement in engine production after 2010 but its workers would have the expertise to “power things other than cars”, he said. “We think that the in-line six at Ford is one of the best engines in the world for static use,” he said. “It just seems, given this being the case and given we have one of the few manufacturing plants in the world that actually makes them, that seems it’s a bit silly to give it away.”
Ford counts $87.2m loss
Martin Watters
13May08
Car manufacturer vows to continue investment in Geelong plant despite poor financial result.
FORD Australia has announced its worst annual result in more than 15 years posting an $87.2 million loss.
But the car manufacturer's boss has committed to Geelong's operations.
Ford revealed net sales revenue of $3.3 billion from selling 108,071 vehicles in the 2007 fiscal year, with its market share dropping from 11.9 to 10.3 per cent.
The loss was the firm's worst result since 1991 and more than twice the $40-million loss it recorded in 2006.
Ford Australia president Bill Osborne wrote 2007 off as ``challenging'' and attributed ongoing company transitions for Ford selling almost 7000 fewer vehicles than the previous year.
These transitions included launching the new Falcon range, shifting production of its small Focus range to Australia by 2011 and putting its weight behind the new Mondeo, which has achieved success in Europe.
Mr Osborne also singled out Geelong's operations for ongoing investment, including the city's research and development centre and Lara's proving ground.
``We continued to make significant investments in our facilities that will help secure the long-term future of Ford in Australia,'' he said.
``These will further establish our business as a centre of automotive design and engineering excellence in the development of class-leading vehicles for Australia and overseas markets.''
The stalwart Falcon came second in the family car segment in the 2007 calendar year, while Ford's highly successful Territory remained top dog in the SUV stakes.
Almost one in four SUVs sold last year in Australia was a Territory.
Despite offering a wide range of vehicles, Mr Osborne said Ford was still looking to the once dominant Falcon to turn things around.
``The arrival of the all-new FG Falcon in May will further boost our showroom appeal,'' he said.
``Combined with the strategic decisions we are implementing to produce small cars in Australia and access to global engine technologies, our strong vehicle line-up sees Ford better positioned than ever before to maximise opportunities associated with changing consumer buying patterns.''
13May08
Car manufacturer vows to continue investment in Geelong plant despite poor financial result.
FORD Australia has announced its worst annual result in more than 15 years posting an $87.2 million loss.
But the car manufacturer's boss has committed to Geelong's operations.
Ford revealed net sales revenue of $3.3 billion from selling 108,071 vehicles in the 2007 fiscal year, with its market share dropping from 11.9 to 10.3 per cent.
The loss was the firm's worst result since 1991 and more than twice the $40-million loss it recorded in 2006.
Ford Australia president Bill Osborne wrote 2007 off as ``challenging'' and attributed ongoing company transitions for Ford selling almost 7000 fewer vehicles than the previous year.
These transitions included launching the new Falcon range, shifting production of its small Focus range to Australia by 2011 and putting its weight behind the new Mondeo, which has achieved success in Europe.
Mr Osborne also singled out Geelong's operations for ongoing investment, including the city's research and development centre and Lara's proving ground.
``We continued to make significant investments in our facilities that will help secure the long-term future of Ford in Australia,'' he said.
``These will further establish our business as a centre of automotive design and engineering excellence in the development of class-leading vehicles for Australia and overseas markets.''
The stalwart Falcon came second in the family car segment in the 2007 calendar year, while Ford's highly successful Territory remained top dog in the SUV stakes.
Almost one in four SUVs sold last year in Australia was a Territory.
Despite offering a wide range of vehicles, Mr Osborne said Ford was still looking to the once dominant Falcon to turn things around.
``The arrival of the all-new FG Falcon in May will further boost our showroom appeal,'' he said.
``Combined with the strategic decisions we are implementing to produce small cars in Australia and access to global engine technologies, our strong vehicle line-up sees Ford better positioned than ever before to maximise opportunities associated with changing consumer buying patterns.''
Ford to stamp out more jobs
Julie McNamara
22Apr08
ANOTHER 74 jobs will be slashed at Ford Australia's Geelong plant in September.
After announcing in July that it would axe 600 Geelong jobs by closing its engine plant in 2010, the motoring giant has now conceded it will also strip jobs from its stamping plant.
The jobs will be outsourced to Australian suppliers, including a Geelong firm, in a bid to cut costs.
Ford public affairs manager Sinead McAlary said as many employees as possible would be retained and placed in other jobs within the company.
Ms McAlary said Ford met with employees and union officials late last week to advise them it would outsource Press Segment 4 at the Geelong stamping plant.
More than 300 different metal parts for the Ford Falcon and Territory are made in Press Segment 4.
Ms McAlary said the decision to outsource the work was made for the following reasons:
TO simplify the press business in line with competitive practice
TO concentrate on core stamping lines; and,
TO prepare for work on the new Focus.
Ms McAlary said the company's first aim was to find other jobs for the 74 workers.
She said the business would be outsourced to, including Geelong-based Backwell IXL, as well as Ai Automotive, Precision and Diver.
AMWU vehicle division state secretary Paul Difelice said the union had not yet conceded the jobs were lost.
He said employees wanted a say in whether operations could continue in Geelong on a reduced budget.
The union's vehicle division national secretary Ian Jones said the job loss would be another "massive blow" for the Geelong region.
Mr Jones said the union would do all it could to preserve the Geelong jobs.
"I think it's fair to say we have had a long association with Geelong and the Geelong community through the union, and we are going to be doing everything we can with the state and federal governments, and in negotiations with Ford, to try to maximise job opportunities within the region," he said.
"These discussions are a long way from being over."
The AMWU said about 350 people were now employed in the stamping plant.
A distressed employee told the Geelong Advertiser he and his workmates were notified of the planned job cuts last Thursday.
"People are just gobsmacked," he said.
He was under the impression employees who lost jobs at Ford would be offered jobs at the companies the work was outsourced to.
But Ms McAlary said this would not be the case.
"Some of the jobs are going to go to IXL Blackwell in Geelong, and some are going to Melbourne and Adelaide. The big thing is what is going to happen to the people who don't want to go?," she said.
The employee said workers were told they could take a voluntary separation package, which included 3.1 weeks of pay for every year they had worked at the company, as well as loyalty payments.
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/04/22/13285_news.html
22Apr08
ANOTHER 74 jobs will be slashed at Ford Australia's Geelong plant in September.
After announcing in July that it would axe 600 Geelong jobs by closing its engine plant in 2010, the motoring giant has now conceded it will also strip jobs from its stamping plant.
The jobs will be outsourced to Australian suppliers, including a Geelong firm, in a bid to cut costs.
Ford public affairs manager Sinead McAlary said as many employees as possible would be retained and placed in other jobs within the company.
Ms McAlary said Ford met with employees and union officials late last week to advise them it would outsource Press Segment 4 at the Geelong stamping plant.
More than 300 different metal parts for the Ford Falcon and Territory are made in Press Segment 4.
Ms McAlary said the decision to outsource the work was made for the following reasons:
TO simplify the press business in line with competitive practice
TO concentrate on core stamping lines; and,
TO prepare for work on the new Focus.
Ms McAlary said the company's first aim was to find other jobs for the 74 workers.
She said the business would be outsourced to, including Geelong-based Backwell IXL, as well as Ai Automotive, Precision and Diver.
AMWU vehicle division state secretary Paul Difelice said the union had not yet conceded the jobs were lost.
He said employees wanted a say in whether operations could continue in Geelong on a reduced budget.
The union's vehicle division national secretary Ian Jones said the job loss would be another "massive blow" for the Geelong region.
Mr Jones said the union would do all it could to preserve the Geelong jobs.
"I think it's fair to say we have had a long association with Geelong and the Geelong community through the union, and we are going to be doing everything we can with the state and federal governments, and in negotiations with Ford, to try to maximise job opportunities within the region," he said.
"These discussions are a long way from being over."
The AMWU said about 350 people were now employed in the stamping plant.
A distressed employee told the Geelong Advertiser he and his workmates were notified of the planned job cuts last Thursday.
"People are just gobsmacked," he said.
He was under the impression employees who lost jobs at Ford would be offered jobs at the companies the work was outsourced to.
But Ms McAlary said this would not be the case.
"Some of the jobs are going to go to IXL Blackwell in Geelong, and some are going to Melbourne and Adelaide. The big thing is what is going to happen to the people who don't want to go?," she said.
The employee said workers were told they could take a voluntary separation package, which included 3.1 weeks of pay for every year they had worked at the company, as well as loyalty payments.
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/04/22/13285_news.html
Campbellfield Ford plant a focus of car review
Hume Leader - 07Apr08
THE current review of Australia's automotive industry will be a "defining moment for Hume", says Calwell federal Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou.
THE current review of Australia's automotive industry will be a "defining moment for Hume", says Calwell federal Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou.
The Federal Government's review will consider the future of taxpayer-funded assistance, government support for hybrid cars and a possible tariff freeze.
Tariffs are presently scheduled to fall from 10 per cent to 5 per cent in 2010.
The review could have major ramifications for Ford's Campbellfield plant and car parts suppliers based in Hume.
Ms Vamvakinou, who chairs the House of Representative's Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Innovation, said: "The review will be very important to us in terms of local employment.
You don't have to be Einstein to see how big a hole it would leave in Calwell if Ford wasn't here."
Ms Vamvakinou would not say if she supported a tariff freeze or more Government funding.
"I will form my views in terms of what comes out of the review," she said. Australian Manufacturers' Workers Union vehicle division national secretary Ian Jones said the nation's car industry was being pounded by a "convergence of forces".
The strong Australia dollar and a "flood" of cheap imports were the key challenges facing the industry, he told the Leader.
On scheduled tariffs reductions, he said: "Do we really need to further expose our industry when the rest of the world is going the other way?"
Ms Vamvakinou urged people in the industry to make a submission to the review.
* Public submissions close on May 14. A report will be presented to the Federal Government by July 31.
THE current review of Australia's automotive industry will be a "defining moment for Hume", says Calwell federal Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou.
THE current review of Australia's automotive industry will be a "defining moment for Hume", says Calwell federal Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou.
The Federal Government's review will consider the future of taxpayer-funded assistance, government support for hybrid cars and a possible tariff freeze.
Tariffs are presently scheduled to fall from 10 per cent to 5 per cent in 2010.
The review could have major ramifications for Ford's Campbellfield plant and car parts suppliers based in Hume.
Ms Vamvakinou, who chairs the House of Representative's Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Innovation, said: "The review will be very important to us in terms of local employment.
You don't have to be Einstein to see how big a hole it would leave in Calwell if Ford wasn't here."
Ms Vamvakinou would not say if she supported a tariff freeze or more Government funding.
"I will form my views in terms of what comes out of the review," she said. Australian Manufacturers' Workers Union vehicle division national secretary Ian Jones said the nation's car industry was being pounded by a "convergence of forces".
The strong Australia dollar and a "flood" of cheap imports were the key challenges facing the industry, he told the Leader.
On scheduled tariffs reductions, he said: "Do we really need to further expose our industry when the rest of the world is going the other way?"
Ms Vamvakinou urged people in the industry to make a submission to the review.
* Public submissions close on May 14. A report will be presented to the Federal Government by July 31.
Global Rear Drive: The Turf War Begins
Posted March 25 2008 05:58 PM by Mike Connor
Filed under: Manufacturing, Ford, Exotics
Don’t believe what you read, say Ford Australia insiders -- the company’s global rear-drive program is still not a done deal. The Aussies insist there has been no decision to even proceed with the platform, much less who will lead the development program. They say stories suggesting the global rear-drive platform would be developed in North America are not correct.
However those comments, made by senior Ford Australia executives within the past 24 hours, are at odds with remarks made by Ford’s global head of product development, Derrick Kuzak, who told The Detroit News last Friday: “On rear-drive, as we have already stated, we are working on a new platform and portfolio of vehicles.”
Maybe these are the opening salvos of what could be a bitter turf war.
The Australians are fiercely protective of their engineering capability, which has been focused on the rear-drive Falcon since 1960. Having gradually evolved the Falcon from a locally manufactured version of an American design to a unique, all-Australian vehicle family, they believe they have shown they can deliver a superior product at a lower cost than do their counterparts in Dearborn. They point to the debacle of the DEW98 platform, which turned out too expensive to use under the current-generation Mustang.
In the past, Ford Australia has been able to fight off attempts by head office to align its product offerings with North America by demonstrating that local buyers demanded the unique attributes of the Falcon. The failed attempt by Dearborn in the mid-'90s to introduce the previous generation Taurus to Australia -- a car with less performance, worse handling, and less interior room (despite its front-drive layout) than the Falcon of the time -- seemed the prove the point.
However, high gas prices, which have hurt Falcon sales (Australians now pay the equivalent of $4.80 a gallon), plus Ford’s failure to establish an export program for the Falcon along the lines of the deal GM set up for Holden’s Zeta cars (sold in Europe, South America, and Asia) mean Ford Australia doesn’t have the sales volume to pay for another go-it-alone development program for an all-new Falcon platform. It needs the broader cost base of the global rear-drive platform -- which would also underpin the next-gen Mustang -- to make a new Falcon feasible.
Two other factors have further weakened the Aussies’ bargaining power. First, the collapse of the U.S. dollar means Australia is not as cheap a source of design, engineering, and development labor as it used to be, so there may not necessarily be significant cost savings in having Ford Australia lead the global rear-drive development program.
What’s more, the free-trade agreement signed between Australia and the U.S. in 2004 means U.S.-made cars can now be shipped to Australia without attracting the 10-percent duty applied to imports from other countries. That could make Ford Australia’s nightmare scenario a reality: Not only is the next Falcon effectively developed in America. It’s made in America, too.
http://blogs.motortrend.com/6238842/manufacturing/global-rear-drive-the-turf-war-begins/index.html
Filed under: Manufacturing, Ford, Exotics
Don’t believe what you read, say Ford Australia insiders -- the company’s global rear-drive program is still not a done deal. The Aussies insist there has been no decision to even proceed with the platform, much less who will lead the development program. They say stories suggesting the global rear-drive platform would be developed in North America are not correct.
However those comments, made by senior Ford Australia executives within the past 24 hours, are at odds with remarks made by Ford’s global head of product development, Derrick Kuzak, who told The Detroit News last Friday: “On rear-drive, as we have already stated, we are working on a new platform and portfolio of vehicles.”
Maybe these are the opening salvos of what could be a bitter turf war.
The Australians are fiercely protective of their engineering capability, which has been focused on the rear-drive Falcon since 1960. Having gradually evolved the Falcon from a locally manufactured version of an American design to a unique, all-Australian vehicle family, they believe they have shown they can deliver a superior product at a lower cost than do their counterparts in Dearborn. They point to the debacle of the DEW98 platform, which turned out too expensive to use under the current-generation Mustang.
In the past, Ford Australia has been able to fight off attempts by head office to align its product offerings with North America by demonstrating that local buyers demanded the unique attributes of the Falcon. The failed attempt by Dearborn in the mid-'90s to introduce the previous generation Taurus to Australia -- a car with less performance, worse handling, and less interior room (despite its front-drive layout) than the Falcon of the time -- seemed the prove the point.
However, high gas prices, which have hurt Falcon sales (Australians now pay the equivalent of $4.80 a gallon), plus Ford’s failure to establish an export program for the Falcon along the lines of the deal GM set up for Holden’s Zeta cars (sold in Europe, South America, and Asia) mean Ford Australia doesn’t have the sales volume to pay for another go-it-alone development program for an all-new Falcon platform. It needs the broader cost base of the global rear-drive platform -- which would also underpin the next-gen Mustang -- to make a new Falcon feasible.
Two other factors have further weakened the Aussies’ bargaining power. First, the collapse of the U.S. dollar means Australia is not as cheap a source of design, engineering, and development labor as it used to be, so there may not necessarily be significant cost savings in having Ford Australia lead the global rear-drive development program.
What’s more, the free-trade agreement signed between Australia and the U.S. in 2004 means U.S.-made cars can now be shipped to Australia without attracting the 10-percent duty applied to imports from other countries. That could make Ford Australia’s nightmare scenario a reality: Not only is the next Falcon effectively developed in America. It’s made in America, too.
http://blogs.motortrend.com/6238842/manufacturing/global-rear-drive-the-turf-war-begins/index.html
Ford appeals asbestos decision
13Mar08 - Geelong Advertiser
FORD Australia has lodged an appeal against a landmark decision by a Perth court to award a former mechanic $840,000 compensation for exposure to asbestos when he worked at Ford car dealerships.
Antonino Lo Presti, 58, last month in the West Australian Supreme Court was the first motor mechanic in Australia to win a successful negligence verdict against a car company for exposure to asbestos.
His lawyer, Michael Magazanik, said the Ford Motor Company of Australia lodged an appeal yesterday and had 35 days to give grounds as to why.
Mr Magazanik said the appeal was a blow to his client, who suffered from serious fibrosis and requires constant oxygen.
``This is yet another hurdle for a sick man,'' Mr Magazanik said.
``He's been battling this for years and he's not about to give up the fight.''
Mr Lo Presti used compressed air to blow out the brake drums and handled asbestos brake linings when brakes were serviced or changed between 1970 and 1971 at two Ford dealerships he worked at.
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/03/13/12150_business.html
FORD Australia has lodged an appeal against a landmark decision by a Perth court to award a former mechanic $840,000 compensation for exposure to asbestos when he worked at Ford car dealerships.
Antonino Lo Presti, 58, last month in the West Australian Supreme Court was the first motor mechanic in Australia to win a successful negligence verdict against a car company for exposure to asbestos.
His lawyer, Michael Magazanik, said the Ford Motor Company of Australia lodged an appeal yesterday and had 35 days to give grounds as to why.
Mr Magazanik said the appeal was a blow to his client, who suffered from serious fibrosis and requires constant oxygen.
``This is yet another hurdle for a sick man,'' Mr Magazanik said.
``He's been battling this for years and he's not about to give up the fight.''
Mr Lo Presti used compressed air to blow out the brake drums and handled asbestos brake linings when brakes were serviced or changed between 1970 and 1971 at two Ford dealerships he worked at.
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/03/13/12150_business.html
Sacked Ford workers' lottery
Jeff Whalley, 07Mar08 - Geelong Advertiser
FORD could make 600 sacked engine plant workers pay for raffle tickets to win one of four top-of-the-line cars offered as part of their severance package.
The ticket offer is an addition to the new package struck by unions which will be voted on by affected workers today.
The deal could be seen as a victory for the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union who last year argued for workers to turn down an offer made by the US automotive giant.
The new deal significantly pumps up the amount of redundancy payments from 75 weeks pay to a 90 weeks maximum for most workers.
If workers have been employed more than 20 years they can also get paid an additional 20 weeks of pay.
The new deal, obtained by the Geelong Advertiser , also brings Ford workers in line with workers who have lost jobs at Toyota and Mitsubishi.
Employees at the Geelong plant will start voting on the package this morning with a result expected this afternoon.
But the biggest oddity in the deal is the `Closure Raffle' which offers the sacked workers a chance to get their hands on the results of their years of handywork.
There is also a hitch in that they have to pay for a ticket.
``To satisfy legal requirements it may be necessary to apply a nominal purchase price to each ticket, which will be donated to charity,'' the offer says.
It is understood unions originally asked for a Ford car for each of the 600 sacked workers as a part of the negotiations.
Ford and union representatives did not return calls yesterday.
Under the agreement, workers will be allowed ``reasonable time off'' to attend job interviews.
To entice workers to keep the plant working until its scheduled closure in 2010 they will be offered an additional payment of $1750.
Ford will also provide workers with labour market information through onsite services with the Natural Work Group and also offer one-on-one career counselling and skills assessment sessions.
FORD could make 600 sacked engine plant workers pay for raffle tickets to win one of four top-of-the-line cars offered as part of their severance package.
The ticket offer is an addition to the new package struck by unions which will be voted on by affected workers today.
The deal could be seen as a victory for the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union who last year argued for workers to turn down an offer made by the US automotive giant.
The new deal significantly pumps up the amount of redundancy payments from 75 weeks pay to a 90 weeks maximum for most workers.
If workers have been employed more than 20 years they can also get paid an additional 20 weeks of pay.
The new deal, obtained by the Geelong Advertiser , also brings Ford workers in line with workers who have lost jobs at Toyota and Mitsubishi.
Employees at the Geelong plant will start voting on the package this morning with a result expected this afternoon.
But the biggest oddity in the deal is the `Closure Raffle' which offers the sacked workers a chance to get their hands on the results of their years of handywork.
There is also a hitch in that they have to pay for a ticket.
``To satisfy legal requirements it may be necessary to apply a nominal purchase price to each ticket, which will be donated to charity,'' the offer says.
It is understood unions originally asked for a Ford car for each of the 600 sacked workers as a part of the negotiations.
Ford and union representatives did not return calls yesterday.
Under the agreement, workers will be allowed ``reasonable time off'' to attend job interviews.
To entice workers to keep the plant working until its scheduled closure in 2010 they will be offered an additional payment of $1750.
Ford will also provide workers with labour market information through onsite services with the Natural Work Group and also offer one-on-one career counselling and skills assessment sessions.
Ford's new chief walking a tricky high wire
Ian Porter - March 4, 2008 The Age
NEW Ford Australia chief Bill Osborne faces a daunting challenge — building on the company's traditional blue-collar customer base by adding customers who have never considered buying a Ford.
He wants to increase the emotional appeal of Fords and not just rely on a value proposition. It will be a tricky balancing act, perhaps more familiar to a high-wire artist.
At the same time he will have to wrestle with the reduced circumstances of all local car makers, whose manufacturing operations have shrunk as demand has moved to other types of vehicles.
There may be hope in that regard as the latest survey of Australian manufacturers shows that demand rose in February for the first time in three years.
The performance of manufacturing index compiled by the Australian Industry Group and PricewaterhouseCoopers showed a rise of 2.2 points, which pushed the index past the break-even point to 51.4, meaning that, overall, manufacturing output expanded.
For the full story go to: http://business.theage.com.au/fords-new-chief-walking-a-tricky-high-wire/20080303-1wkz.html
NEW Ford Australia chief Bill Osborne faces a daunting challenge — building on the company's traditional blue-collar customer base by adding customers who have never considered buying a Ford.
He wants to increase the emotional appeal of Fords and not just rely on a value proposition. It will be a tricky balancing act, perhaps more familiar to a high-wire artist.
At the same time he will have to wrestle with the reduced circumstances of all local car makers, whose manufacturing operations have shrunk as demand has moved to other types of vehicles.
There may be hope in that regard as the latest survey of Australian manufacturers shows that demand rose in February for the first time in three years.
The performance of manufacturing index compiled by the Australian Industry Group and PricewaterhouseCoopers showed a rise of 2.2 points, which pushed the index past the break-even point to 51.4, meaning that, overall, manufacturing output expanded.
For the full story go to: http://business.theage.com.au/fords-new-chief-walking-a-tricky-high-wire/20080303-1wkz.html
BILL OSBORNE: Ford's auto motives
22Feb08 - Geelong Advertiser
Ford's new Falcon meeting consumer demands, says Ford boss Bill Osborne.
ALTHOUGH I have only recently arrived to head up the team here at Ford Australia, it didn't take me long to pick up on the palpable excitement, surrounding this moment. Ford is meeting a changing market with a broad range of exciting and relevant cars. The next step in the transition of this great company is to continue changing the Ford brand _ from traditional and muscular _ to fresh, exciting and right for modern Australia.
You can map this transition back to June 2004, with the launch of the amazing Ford Territory. Territory re-defined the SUV segment and it re-defined Ford. We continued this change when we introduced new vehicles such as Fiesta and Focus. We followed those launches with exciting sports derivatives of both vehicles and the addition of the new Ranger, closely followed late last year by the return of the Mondeo.
We now offer a complete range of vehicles that includes Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo, Territory, Escape, Ranger, Falcon, Falcon Ute, and Transit. From 2011, we will manufacture more of them right here in Australia when we add production of the globally successful Focus to our line-up of locally produced vehicles.
For the full story go to: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/02/22/11611_opinion.html
Ford's new Falcon meeting consumer demands, says Ford boss Bill Osborne.
ALTHOUGH I have only recently arrived to head up the team here at Ford Australia, it didn't take me long to pick up on the palpable excitement, surrounding this moment. Ford is meeting a changing market with a broad range of exciting and relevant cars. The next step in the transition of this great company is to continue changing the Ford brand _ from traditional and muscular _ to fresh, exciting and right for modern Australia.
You can map this transition back to June 2004, with the launch of the amazing Ford Territory. Territory re-defined the SUV segment and it re-defined Ford. We continued this change when we introduced new vehicles such as Fiesta and Focus. We followed those launches with exciting sports derivatives of both vehicles and the addition of the new Ranger, closely followed late last year by the return of the Mondeo.
We now offer a complete range of vehicles that includes Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo, Territory, Escape, Ranger, Falcon, Falcon Ute, and Transit. From 2011, we will manufacture more of them right here in Australia when we add production of the globally successful Focus to our line-up of locally produced vehicles.
For the full story go to: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/02/22/11611_opinion.html
Will FG Fly where the 380 Floundered?
Andrew Heasley: February 18, 2008 - The Age
WILL the new Falcon fly for Ford? It must, to shift Ford away from now being Australia's most precariously balanced local car manufacturer.
The good news is that the new FG-series car looks fresh and follows the styling trends of Ford's new-looking cars from Europe, such as the Mondeo mid-sizer's so-called "kinetic design". The most criticised feature of the old Falcon has been fixed: getting in and out of the rear has been made easier. There are safety and fuel efficiency improvements and cabin appointments are better than on the outgoing Falcon.
For more go to: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/will-fg-fly-where-the-380-foundered/2008/02/17/1203190653109.html
WILL the new Falcon fly for Ford? It must, to shift Ford away from now being Australia's most precariously balanced local car manufacturer.
The good news is that the new FG-series car looks fresh and follows the styling trends of Ford's new-looking cars from Europe, such as the Mondeo mid-sizer's so-called "kinetic design". The most criticised feature of the old Falcon has been fixed: getting in and out of the rear has been made easier. There are safety and fuel efficiency improvements and cabin appointments are better than on the outgoing Falcon.
For more go to: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/will-fg-fly-where-the-380-foundered/2008/02/17/1203190653109.html
A fork in the Road
Ian Porter, February 16, 2008 - The Age Newspaper
THERE will be a lot of hoopla when Ford unveils its new Falcon tomorrow. Car launches, after all, tend to be extravagant. The launch completes a process that can stretch over three years, sometimes more, and that involves thousands of people and hundreds of millions of dollars. It's unsurprising then, that there is always an eddy of trepidation, even fear.....
For the full story: http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/a-fork-in-the-road/2008/02/15/1202760593844.html
Ford, union in 'deal' over worker payouts
Andrew Mathieson - Geelong Idependent (15/2/2008)
FORD has reached an in-principle agreement over a revised payout deal with Geelong workers set to lose their jobs.
Australian Manufacturers Workers Union, which represented Ford employees at the Industrial Relations Commission, will meet the commissioner today to finalise a formal recommendation.
Union vehicle division secretary Ian Jones said all shop stewards and occupational groups at the Geelong factory had approved the deal. Mr Jones said the union would run mass meetings with members next week to discuss the package. “In the context of the arrangements that we’ve reached with the company, they’re supported by all unions in the bargaining team right across Ford’s operations,” Mr Jones said.
Members had rejected the company’s initial redundancy offer, accusing Ford of breaking a promise it made to workers last year when announcing 600 job losses.
The union said Ford had withdrawn an “enhanced voluntary severance package” that had become an industry standard between all car manufacturers. Mr Jones refused to reveal details of the new settlement package until he had discussed it with members. But he said the union had resolved other issues related to the job losses such as arrangements for closure of the redundant part of the factory, further outsourcing and a restructuring program. “We’ve tackled all the outstanding issues that workers have been concerned about,” Mr Jones said. “We’re pretty comfortable that the outcomes are going to meet their expectations.”
Mr Jones said Ford was still “a good employer” even though his union had to drag the company into the Industrial Relations Commission for an adequate workers’ redundancy package. He said resolving industrial problems before new Ford Australia president Bill Osborne took over was a priority.
Ford plans to cut jobs from its Geelong plant by 2010 when it stops production of its six-cylinder engine for an imported V6.
Ford has told the Independent it will not comment on issues before the IRC.
FORD has reached an in-principle agreement over a revised payout deal with Geelong workers set to lose their jobs.
Australian Manufacturers Workers Union, which represented Ford employees at the Industrial Relations Commission, will meet the commissioner today to finalise a formal recommendation.
Union vehicle division secretary Ian Jones said all shop stewards and occupational groups at the Geelong factory had approved the deal. Mr Jones said the union would run mass meetings with members next week to discuss the package. “In the context of the arrangements that we’ve reached with the company, they’re supported by all unions in the bargaining team right across Ford’s operations,” Mr Jones said.
Members had rejected the company’s initial redundancy offer, accusing Ford of breaking a promise it made to workers last year when announcing 600 job losses.
The union said Ford had withdrawn an “enhanced voluntary severance package” that had become an industry standard between all car manufacturers. Mr Jones refused to reveal details of the new settlement package until he had discussed it with members. But he said the union had resolved other issues related to the job losses such as arrangements for closure of the redundant part of the factory, further outsourcing and a restructuring program. “We’ve tackled all the outstanding issues that workers have been concerned about,” Mr Jones said. “We’re pretty comfortable that the outcomes are going to meet their expectations.”
Mr Jones said Ford was still “a good employer” even though his union had to drag the company into the Industrial Relations Commission for an adequate workers’ redundancy package. He said resolving industrial problems before new Ford Australia president Bill Osborne took over was a priority.
Ford plans to cut jobs from its Geelong plant by 2010 when it stops production of its six-cylinder engine for an imported V6.
Ford has told the Independent it will not comment on issues before the IRC.
Ford 'breaks' payout pledge
Andrew Mathieson - Geelong Independent (8/2/2008)
Geelong Ford workers set to lose their jobs have rejected a payout offer, accusing the company of breaking its promise of industry-standard redundancy entitlements. Australian Manufacturers Workers Union accused the company of withdrawing its “enhanced voluntary severance package” in favour of an inferior payout.
Ford had offered the enhanced package when it announced in July the loss of 600 jobs at its Geelong and Broadmeadows factories by 2010, the union said.
The union took Ford to the Industrial Relations Commission this week in a bid to force the company into restoring the enhanced package.
Angry members told the Independent some management staff had received “golden handshakes” at the expense of workers’ payouts.
AMWU vehicle division federal secretary Ian Jones said the company’s latest offer was “clearly deficient”. “They are required to negotiate something that is more akin to an industry standard,” Mr Jones said. “It (the enhanced package) has been set effectively by the other car manufacturers and Ford hasn’t accepted our arguments on that.”
Mr Jones believed the union and Ford had made “further and good progress” toward striking a deal despite ending up in the IRC. “I’m confident that we should be in a position to repair it,” he said.
Ford workers’ vehicle union delegate Tony Anderson said the difference between the redundancy offers was “substantial”.
Mr Anderson said workers would consider their next move if negotiations broke down but had ruled out jeopardising production of Ford’s latest models. “It’s not something we want to do and we hope we can reach an agreement to take to our members,” Mr Anderson said.
Ford company spokesperson Sinead McAlary said the company declined to comment on matters relating to the commission, except that negotiations were “moving along”.
Geelong Ford workers set to lose their jobs have rejected a payout offer, accusing the company of breaking its promise of industry-standard redundancy entitlements. Australian Manufacturers Workers Union accused the company of withdrawing its “enhanced voluntary severance package” in favour of an inferior payout.
Ford had offered the enhanced package when it announced in July the loss of 600 jobs at its Geelong and Broadmeadows factories by 2010, the union said.
The union took Ford to the Industrial Relations Commission this week in a bid to force the company into restoring the enhanced package.
Angry members told the Independent some management staff had received “golden handshakes” at the expense of workers’ payouts.
AMWU vehicle division federal secretary Ian Jones said the company’s latest offer was “clearly deficient”. “They are required to negotiate something that is more akin to an industry standard,” Mr Jones said. “It (the enhanced package) has been set effectively by the other car manufacturers and Ford hasn’t accepted our arguments on that.”
Mr Jones believed the union and Ford had made “further and good progress” toward striking a deal despite ending up in the IRC. “I’m confident that we should be in a position to repair it,” he said.
Ford workers’ vehicle union delegate Tony Anderson said the difference between the redundancy offers was “substantial”.
Mr Anderson said workers would consider their next move if negotiations broke down but had ruled out jeopardising production of Ford’s latest models. “It’s not something we want to do and we hope we can reach an agreement to take to our members,” Mr Anderson said.
Ford company spokesperson Sinead McAlary said the company declined to comment on matters relating to the commission, except that negotiations were “moving along”.
$20m Ford grant faces axe
Gerard McManus
February 06, 2008 12:00am - Herald Sun
THE Rudd Government wants to axe a $20 million grant to Ford promised by its predecessor.
The Rudd razor gang decided in December to ditch the grant, which could jeopardise plans to build a new four-cylinder Ford at its Broadmeadows plant.
But the new Government has since received legal advice that Ford could pursue a legal claim based on a breach of faith.
The Herald Sun learned of the Ford setback on the same day Mitsubishi announced it would close its Adelaide plant.
In May 2006, the former Howard government pledged $52.5 million in special assistance to Ford.
Ford has received $32.5 million, but the remaining $20 million was not due to be paid until 2009-10.
The grant was intended to help Ford start production on a new Falcon project, known as E8.
But last July Ford sought to modify the agreement so the money could be spent on developing the four-cylinder Focus.
Production of the Focus, Ford's first locally made small car in a decade, is due to start at Broadmeadows in 2011, creating 300 jobs.
But the new contract between Ford and the Government was not formally amended before the November federal election.
Sources said the Government's strategic Budget committee of Cabinet met on December 18 and discussed axing the grant.
Subsequently, the Australian Government Solicitor advised the committee Ford could sue if it proceeded with its decision.
February 06, 2008 12:00am - Herald Sun
THE Rudd Government wants to axe a $20 million grant to Ford promised by its predecessor.
The Rudd razor gang decided in December to ditch the grant, which could jeopardise plans to build a new four-cylinder Ford at its Broadmeadows plant.
But the new Government has since received legal advice that Ford could pursue a legal claim based on a breach of faith.
The Herald Sun learned of the Ford setback on the same day Mitsubishi announced it would close its Adelaide plant.
In May 2006, the former Howard government pledged $52.5 million in special assistance to Ford.
Ford has received $32.5 million, but the remaining $20 million was not due to be paid until 2009-10.
The grant was intended to help Ford start production on a new Falcon project, known as E8.
But last July Ford sought to modify the agreement so the money could be spent on developing the four-cylinder Focus.
Production of the Focus, Ford's first locally made small car in a decade, is due to start at Broadmeadows in 2011, creating 300 jobs.
But the new contract between Ford and the Government was not formally amended before the November federal election.
Sources said the Government's strategic Budget committee of Cabinet met on December 18 and discussed axing the grant.
Subsequently, the Australian Government Solicitor advised the committee Ford could sue if it proceeded with its decision.
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