At Sharonville, employees will continue to make the transmission for the F-Series Super Duty Truck and gear sets for additional models. But along with the new machinery, the Sharonville plant will also begin production for a new transmission family and additional gear sets for other vehicles, according to UAW.
“This is a very exciting time for UAW Local 863 and the Ford Sharonville Transmission plant. Once the new work is all in place, our plant will be almost completely utilized,” Meadors, president of Local 863, said.
Michigan-based Ford will share specific details regarding any investments at a later time, said spokeswoman Kelli Felker in an email.
Currently, the local Ford plant on Sharon Road employs more than 1,600 union members plus about 180 salary workers, according to Meadors.
Ford is the city’s largest employer and the upgrades send a signal that the automaker expects to keep the site open long-term, said Chris Xeil Lyons, economic development director of Sharonville.
“We are anticipating significant investment in the Sharonville facility, solidifying their commitment to our city for many years to come,” Lyons said.
Meadors expects there to eventually be new job creation as a result of the investment, but new jobs likely won’t be added until construction work is completed.
“The contract brings years of job security to our members. Deservedly so, because without our members’ hard work and dedication to making quality parts, the $900 million dollar investment may have went somewhere else,” Meadors said.
Last year, U.S. auto sales were expected to reach a record high of 17.5 million vehicles, beating the old record of 17.35 million set in 2000, according to the Associated Press.
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