Cars-Being-Built

Ford Exceeds UAW Job Commitment with 14,000-Plus Hourly Jobs Created Since 2011

Sept. 26, 2014
"The job growth we have created in U.S. manufacturing is a testament to our strong partnership with the UAW, the union's competitiveness, and the growing demand for Ford's portfolio of cars, utilities and trucks," said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas

As Ford Motor Co. announced on Tuesday that it was creating 1,200 new jobs at its Kansas City Assembly Plant,  the UAW noted that the company has fulfilled its commitment to create 12,000 U.S. hourly jobs by 2015.

“The job growth we have created in U.S. manufacturing is a testament to our strong partnership with the UAW, the union’s competitiveness, and the growing demand for Ford’s portfolio of cars, utilities and trucks,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas. “Adding a second shift to Kansas City Assembly Plant adds more jobs to this community, and it also helps deliver more Transit vehicles to more customers throughout North America.”

The 1,200 new jobs are in addition to the 2,800 jobs added at Kansas City Assembly Plant in 2012 and 2013 to support the 2015 Transit launch and increased production of Ford F-150. Ford invested $1.1 billion in 2011 to retool and expand the facility for Transit production and to support surging customer demand for F-150. Expansion projects include the addition of a 437,000-square-foot stamping facility and a 78,000-square-foot paint shop.

Since the 2011 Ford has added jobs across its other U.S. manufacturing plants as well, for a total of 14,000 jobs. Facilities where Ford added jobs include:

  • 3,600 at Louisville Assembly Plant
  • 1,800 at Michigan Assembly Plant
  • 1,700 at Flat Rock Assembly Plant
  • 1,600 at Chicago Assembly Plant
  • 600 at Kentucky Truck Plant
  • 450 at Cleveland Engine Plant
  • 240 at Van Dyke Transmission Plant
  • 230 at Chicago Stamping Plant
About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor - MH&L, IW, & EHS Today

Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with Endeavor Business Media and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank.

She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics, EHS Today, and IndustryWeek. 

Editorial Mission Statement:

Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes, and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I Find Manufacturing Interesting: 

On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated, and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.