Ranger demand adds 800 Ford jobs
2012-08-30 09:12
MORE HANDS ON DECK: The production lines at Ford SA's Struandale and Silverton facilities will be bolstered with the addition of 800 workers to meet continued Ford Ranger demand. Image: Ford
PRETORIA - Ford SA will add 800 new positions at its Silverton assembly
and Struandale engine plants as it increases production to meet demand for its
Ranger bakkie.
Starting September 3, 2012, Ford will add a second shift to
its Silverton assembly plant in Pretoria, and its Struandale engine plant in
Port Elizabeth.
WORLD-CLASS FACILITIES
Training of the new staff started in June, 2012.
Jeff Nemeth, President and CEO of Ford Motor Company of Southern
Africa, said: “In order to meet continued strong demand in South Africa and
abroad, we are adding shifts to our operations, creating jobs and confirming
our commitment to South Africa. We invested significantly to transform our
operations, and it is our strong belief that these jobs have the power to
transform people’s lives as well.
“Each one of the 800 potential new employees underwent
comprehensive pre-employment assessment prior to the commencement of training.
The successful candidates underwent stringent classroom and on-the-job
training; they are now equipped to build high quality Rangers,” Nemeth
continued.
Ford in 2011 announced the completion of a R3.4-billion
transformation at its manufacturing and assembly plants in South Africa to
enable it to produce and export its new Ranger to 148 countries, mostly in
Africa and Europe. Both plants have been transformed into world-class
facilities, the company said.
“As part of the One Ford plan, and to maintain a viable and strategic presence
in Southern Africa, we require a globally integrated supply chain and a highly
trained workforce,” said Nemeth. “We are pleased with the investments in South
Africa and we are committed to having world-class facilities and standards.”