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Ford to Build Aluminum Casting Plant in Ohio

16 March 1998

Ford to Build Aluminum Casting Plant in Ohio

    BROOK PARK, Ohio, March 16 -- Ford Motor Company
took another step forward today in its long history in the Cleveland area as
the company announced it will build an aluminum casting plant at Ford's Brook
Park site.
    "We are very proud to be building this new plant in a familiar place,"
said Jim Solberg, operations manager - Powertrain Operations.  "This is an
exciting day for Ford and for our employees here in the Cleveland area.  The
new casting plant reinforces Ford's commitment to the Cleveland area."
    Solberg was joined by UAW Vice President Ernie Lofton, UAW Local 1250
President Willie Hubbard, Brook Park Mayor Tom Coyne and Cleveland Site
Manager Gifford Brown in making the announcement.
    Construction of the 210,000 square-foot plant will begin in April and is
expected to be completed in early 1999.  The plant will consist of a natural-
gas aluminum melting furnace, 10 core making machines, two rollover pouring
machines, a shot blast cleaning system, a natural-gas-fired holding furnace
and a sand handling system.
    The facility will be located at the southeast corner of Ford's complex,
bordering the east wall of the existing Cleveland Engine Plant #2.  The plant
will produce aluminum cylinder blocks for a future Ford engine.  At full
capacity, the facility will employ between 135-160 people.  All hourly
positions will be filled by Ford's present labor pool at the Brook Park site.
    "Our workforce in Cleveland has proven it is a dedicated team focused on
delivering quality products that are competitive around the world," said
Brown, who heads Ford's operations in Brook Park.  "We're confident that, with
this excellent facility and a strong team, world-class aluminum engine blocks
will be produced in Cleveland."
    Currently, Ford has two engine plants and a cast iron facility on the
Brook Park site.  Cleveland Engine Plant #1 produces the 5.0-liter V-8 engine
and Cleveland Engine Plant #2 builds the 2.5-liter and 3.0-liter Duratec V-6
engines.  The Cleveland Casting Plant produces engine blocks and heads,
manifolds and crankshafts for Ford cars and trucks.
    The three plants employ about 4,000 people, and Ford employs a total of
14,000 people in six plants in northeast Ohio.

SOURCE  Ford Motor Company