Stamping plant closes

Geelong

takes the first big hit from the Ford shutdown at the end of March with the company’s stamping plant scheduled to close.

The plant, which contributed, together with the six-cylinder engine factory and research facilities, to 2000 jobs in the city, shuts after the final batch of body pressings for Falcon and Territory.

The stamping plant worked flat-out through its final days to fulfill the regulatory requirement to provide 10 years of parts’ support once a car has gone out of production or sale.

The stockpile is essential for a decade of potential crash damage for the homegrown heroes, as well as the needs of V8 Supercar teams still running Falcons.