Ford meeting raises factory fears (From Hampshire Chronicle)
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Ford meeting raises factory fears
3:45pm Wednesday 24th October 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013
Ford executives are to meet with union leaders to discuss the company's European restructuring plans
Union leaders have been called to a meeting with motor giant Ford amid fears over the future of the firm's van factory in the UK.
The fate of the Transit van plant in Southampton is expected to be revealed on Thursday amid speculation that the firm is to announce its closure.
Transits have been built at the site since 1972, although the workforce has been halved in recent years to 500, with the plant operating on a single shift.
Ford has unveiled plans to close its factory in Genk, Belgium, with the loss of 4,300 jobs and said more details of its "transformation" plan for Europe will be given on Thursday.
Stephen Odell, chairman and chief executive of Ford of Europe, said: "The proposed restructuring of our European manufacturing operations is a fundamental part of our plan to strengthen Ford's business in Europe and to return to profitable growth."
Mr Odell will meet personally with union officials to give them the news.
Ford employs around 11,400 workers in the UK at plants including Dagenham in Essex, Halewood on Merseyside and Bridgend in South Wales.
