‘POIGNANT DAY’ AS ENGINE PLANT CLOSES ITS DOORS
WORKERS have left the Ford manufacturing plant in Bridgend as the factory closed for the final time after being in operation for 40 years.
The site shut its doors on Friday, more than a year after its closure was announced by car giant Ford in June 2019.
When that closure was confirmed, 1,644 people were employed at the plant. A total of 999 remained, continuing to work up until the final bell tolled.
It has been an emotional few months for staff at the site, coming to a head yesterday, which one worker called a “very poignant day”.
Lee Thomas worked at the site for a year, and his father, Anthony, retired in 2019, having worked there for 30 years. Both went down to say goodbye to the old place.
Lee, aged 29, took with him a 1984 Ford Orion, the engine of which was built at the factory before he was born.
“We went down there today to mark the end of an era, really,” said Lee.
“My father spent most of his life there and the plant helped build our family, so it was quite a poignant moment for us.
“I have an old Ford Orion so I took that down there one last time.”
Anthony retired last year, but Lee said some workers are not fortunate enough to be in that position, and will have to find work elsewhere.
“For him it was 30 years going in and out of the same place,” said Lee. “When he left last year he was thinking ‘what does the future hold now?’ – and I do worry about some of the other people who have now left who must be thinking the same thing.
“Nearly 1,000 were leaving today and they won’t even be able to go out together like they normally would because of
Covid-19. So it’s been a very poignant day.
“Some of the workers were coming out and leaving their work boots in their car-parking spaces before they left.”
Other people have also been reflecting on the plant’s closure.
Andrew Pearson, a Unite convenor at the plant, shared his thoughts on social media.
“This sad day has been coming for over 15 months with the closure of Ford Bridgend Engine Plant,” said Mr Pearson.
“With world class performance, everyone can leave with their heads held high.
“The plant has over 40 years of history, today is an extremely poignant day for everyone at the plant.
“Ford UK is the largest vehicle market in Europe and third biggest globally. It was always a huge disappointment when they announced the closure, taking it from 27 plants to four in the UK.
“This was a global decision and has no reflection on the highly skilled people working here.
“My thoughts and best wishes go out to every member, colleague and friend today and I wish them every success for the future. “
The plant’s manager, Wallace Yearwood, said those who worked there could be proud of all they had achieved, and that, since the factory opened in 1980, more than 22 million engines have been manufactured there, before being shipped and used all over the world.
“Today marks the end of 40 years of engine production at Bridgend Engine Plant,” said Mr Yearwood.
“I want to thank everyone, past and present, for what you have done to contribute to our success. Ever since the June 2019 announcement, you have continued to produce engines and components to the high-quality standards and quantity levels that have built our reputation over these past 40 years as a trusted and dependable member of the Ford team.
“While we have faced challenges during the last 15 months, we met these challenges collectively and with a desire to find solutions and to do the right thing. Covid-19
impacted all of us, affecting our families, the community and our plant operation. Our Bridgend spirit meant we could implement the company’s Covid-19 protocols and successfully restart production from May 18.
“We can be proud of all the work we have done with our local communities over the years; from the numerous Global Month of Caring projects we have completed, to the many charities we have supported. In fact, our last community action will result in us distributing £1m of community funding to local causes, with every penny donated going to a worthy project identified by Bridgend employees.
“I want to once again thank you for the service given to Bridgend Engine Plant and I wish you and your family all the best for the future. It has been an honour to be part of the Bridgend team and Bridgend Engine Plant.”
Peter Hughes, regional secretary for Unite Wales, called yesterday a “dark day” for thousands of people.
“Today is a desperately sad day for all the Welsh workers whose employment with Ford officially ends today,” said Mr Hughes.
“It is also a dark day for the many thousands of others who also worked at this iconic manufacturing facility over the past 40 years.
“Ford Bridgend was able to hold its own against other Ford sites across the world throughout those four decades for one reason only, its world-class workforce. Nothing has changed in this respect.”