Claire Wilson
CAR manufacturer Ford has created more than 1,400 jobs at a Spanish production plant after completing a €1.5 billion expansion.
The US group has installed an additonal two assembly lines, a large paint shop, and 262 industrial robots at its flagship factory just outside Valencia.
The decision to boost production in Spain was revealed in June 2011, at a time when the country was on the brink of a double-dip recession.
At the time the manufacturer struck a deal with unions that would see it use flexible working practices; staff are sent home when there is little to do, but are required to work longer when assembly lines are busy.
In the two years since, other makers including Renault, General Motors and Volkswagen have also upgraded their plants in Spain, and transferred production from countries such as Belgium and Korea.
The news provides further evidence the car industry could be one of the solutions to the part in the country´s economic recovery.
An additional 2,400 new motor workers have already been hired this year to date.
Anfac, the Spanish car lobby, said the industry could invest up to €5 billion to expand Spanish car production capabilities, while production is set to rise by 10% this year.
Such a rise would make Spain the second largest car manufacturer in Europe behind Germany.
That’s great news for people looking for work in the motoring industry. Good on Ford!