New boss in Ford's driver's seat

Martin Watters
17Jan08

FORD Australia will welcome a new president as of next month in an ironic twist for the car maker's Geelong workers.

Current Ford Motor Co president in Canada, Bill Osborne, would take over the Australian reins in February replacing outgoing boss Tom Gorman, it was announced yesterday.

Mr Osborne was the man behind engine development of the Blue Oval's new Duratec V6 engine, set to replace the locally-made inline six cylinder and spell the end of Geelong's engine plant by 2010.

The worldwide company's musical chairs included Brazilian boss Barry Engle taking over the Canadian role and the Detroit-born Mr Osborne coming to Australia. But the changes left Mr Gorman without a seat and Ford's Asia, Pacific and Africa executive vice-president John Parker yesterday said the outgoing Aussie was leaving the industry altogether.

``Tom Gorman has been an outstanding leader at Ford Australia and has brought the company through some challenging times,'' he said.

``He has elected to move onto other exciting opportunities outside the automotive industry and we wish him well in his new role.''

Mr Parker said Australia's new president would bring extensive product development and marketing experience.

But Mr Osborne would also have a task ahead of him with changing consumer demand and weaker domestic markets challenging the company's operations worldwide, including Australia.
Mr Osborne would leave the Canadian division after the first year Ford relinquished its number two market spot to Chrysler.

Previously, the executive also managed the Blue Oval's US pick-up, truck and commercial vehicles division including the popular F-series and Ranger trucks.

Locally, the car maker was looking to adapt to a changing market, ditching the Geelong-made six cylinder and the luxury Fairlane model.

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2008/01/17/10592_business.html

Ivor: Does the appointment of Bill Osborne as President of Ford Australia bring new hope for hundreds of Ford Geelong workers?

Bumpy year for doing business in Geelong

Martin Watters
28Dec07

Job cuts hit the Geelong region hard in the past 12 months, as the manufacturing sector grappled with global competition. MARTIN WATTERS reflects on 2007
IT was the best of times for some, but it was the worst of times too for the Geelong business world in 2007.

No doubt the year will be remembered for the many job cuts as the manufacturing sector grappled with global competition and the rising Aussie dollar.

Many struggled and some failed, blaming globalisation, tariffs, cheap overseas labour and changing consumer demands.

The wheels were put in motion for their downfall in previous years but as pressures mounted, 2007 was the straw breaking the camel's back for Coghlan-Russell, Hendersons, Bekaert, and Ford's stamping plant _ to name a few.

The year started with developments crowding the Geelong skyline as cranes worked on the TAC headquarters relocation, Edgewater apartments and Harrison Place works.

For the full story go to: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2007/12/28/10026_business.html