Forums
NautiqueParts.comGet Your 2025 CCF Calendar Now
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Ford closing it's Belgian plant...
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Ford closing it's Belgian plant...

 Post Reply Post Reply   
Author
AirTique98 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: January-13-2011
Location: avon lake, ohio
Status: Offline
Points: 321
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote AirTique98 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Ford closing it's Belgian plant...
    Posted: October-31-2012 at 4:00am

     I saw it...just another sad commentary on the state of American industrialization. Only the casting plant that was 60 years old has been torn down...the plant you were involved in [EP #2] has been gutted and made available for rent, lease, or reuse by whoever. The other engine plant is thriving and expanding as it is the only source of the Eco-Boost going in the F-150's.
Bill
98Air Nautique


Former Owner:
1990 Ski Nautique
1981 Ski Nautique
1976 Ski Nautique
1971 Ski Nautique
Back to Top
jbear View Drop Down
Grand Poobah
Grand Poobah
Avatar

Joined: January-21-2005
Location: Lake Wales FL.
Status: Offline
Points: 8193
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jbear Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October-31-2012 at 2:57am
wonder if my brother saw this? They closed the casting plant where Bill worked for 40 years. Tore it down..carted away all the steel and planted grass. There was also 2 engine plants on the property that are now closing. I was in on the crew that rehabbed one of the plants in the '90s doing cableing. Can't imagine how much money was spent there and its all over now. Thousands of jobs lost there and uncounted jobs in all the support businesses.


john
"Loud pipes save lives"



AdamT sez "I'm Canadian and a beaver lover myself"...
Back to Top
must_dash View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member


Joined: August-27-2011
Location: Lake Maggiore,
Status: Offline
Points: 223
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote must_dash Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October-25-2012 at 1:18pm
They've just announced that they are closing the Transit van factory in Southampton, despite promises that the new model would be made there in 2014, production moving to Turkey and the stamping plant at Dagenham closes with loss of 2000 jobs.

Does anybody remember Sabine Schmitz taking a standard Ford Transit round the Nuremberg ring rack track in 10:08 mins.
1986 Martinique - sold

When we ask for advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice.
Back to Top
azeus17 View Drop Down
Gold Member
Gold Member
Avatar

Joined: August-19-2007
Location: Grand Rapids, M
Status: Offline
Points: 576
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote azeus17 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October-24-2012 at 7:18pm
Kristof-
Sad to hear. Being from Detroit, I know how many people this effects. The hard truth is that because the crisis in the EU is so bad less and less people are buying new cars. A billion dollar a year lose really hurts the relatively strong comeback the automakers have had in the US. At some point, it is cheaper to ship vehicles than to run a factory at 50% capacity.
Boats:
Current: 02 SANTE
Sold: 89 Sport Nautique
Back to Top
turningpoint84 View Drop Down
Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Avatar

Joined: September-11-2008
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Status: Offline
Points: 1467
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote turningpoint84 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October-24-2012 at 7:12pm
I feel like Europe is about 2 years behind where the US was. Things will turn around, if you can keep your job, i suggest putting away as much cash as you can. You will be able to capitalize on a lot of stuff selling for very cheap. Homes and cars especially.
Proud 1968 mustang owner and now
1970 Mustang
Back to Top
Kristof View Drop Down
Grand Poobah
Grand Poobah
Avatar

Joined: October-08-2007
Location: Bree, Belgium
Status: Offline
Points: 3400
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kristof Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October-24-2012 at 12:12pm
Ford is in the top half when it comes to perception and price. The top segment over here is Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen-Audi.
For these brands, the European market is also going downwards, but they can compensate that, because their top line models are still selling well in Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

And off course we have the more exclusive segment: Ferrari, Maserati, Bugatti, Porsche,... Who are sold to a class of people that do not feel the crisis quite so hard...

- Gun control means: using BOTH hands!
- Money doesn't make one happy, but when it rains cats and dogs, it's still better to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle...

Back to Top
Riley View Drop Down
Grand Poobah
Grand Poobah
Avatar

Joined: January-19-2004
Location: Portland, ME
Status: Offline
Points: 7957
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Riley Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October-24-2012 at 11:37am
Sorry to hear that, Kristof. How is Ford perceived and priced compared to European cars? It seems over here, the type of person that would by Euro would not buy Ford and visa versa, (excluding trucks).
Back to Top
Kristof View Drop Down
Grand Poobah
Grand Poobah
Avatar

Joined: October-08-2007
Location: Bree, Belgium
Status: Offline
Points: 3400
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Kristof Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October-24-2012 at 11:31am
This morning, the European direction of Ford Europe announced it will close the factory in Genk, Belgium in 2014.
4300 dierct jobs will be lost and another 5000 jobs will be lost in the surrounding plants supplying parts for the Ford plant.

In 1992, the Ford plant still employed more than 13.000 people. Various restucturations over the years already downsized the numer of jobs to the current 4300. But now it is game over for the Belgian Ford plant.

Only last year GM closed its plant in Antwerp... What's next? The Volvo plant in Gent?
Automotive industry is not going good in Belgium nowadays...

Those who thought the European crisis is about to be over are very wrong... We are only at the real beginning ladies and gentlemen.
Dark times ahead...

- Gun control means: using BOTH hands!
- Money doesn't make one happy, but when it rains cats and dogs, it's still better to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle...

Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Copyright 2025 | Bagley Productions, LLC