Unifor officials remain confident of Ford’s future in Windsor

Article content

Unifor Local 200 president John D’Agnolo said Ford Motor Company’s investment of US$11.4-billion to create a new factory to produce electrified F-series trucks and three battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky won’t alter the company’s plans for Windsor.

Article content

The single, largest investment in Ford’s 118-year history is being done in partnership with South Korean battery manufacturer SK Innovations.

“I’ve talked to the company and they maintain they still need more and to not think they aren’t looking at other areas,” D’Agnolo said.

“They’re going to need more than three battery plants. We’ve already been talking to them of a battery plant here.”

D’Agnolo added there’s no immediate danger to the Windsor operations, which will add a third shift at the Annex Engine Plant in 2022 to produce the new 6.8-litre engine.

The Annex also produces the 7.3-litre Godzilla engine while Essex Engine manufactures the 5.0-litre engine.

“The big engines aren’t going away for quite a long time,” D’Agnolo said.

Article content

“When we’re looking at the large combustion engines, everything I’ve read is 2035-2040 is when (Ford) thinks the battery will have enough power to do the things needed for larger vehicles.”

The Windsor-built engines are for use in trucks, buses, mobile homes, generators and large vehicles used at airports.

D’Agnolo said he remains confident about the future of Ford in Windsor based on his discussions with the company.

“They have said they recognize the value of the work being done in Windsor for Ford Motor Company to be successful and that will not be overlooked by the company,” D’Agnolo said.

D’Agnolo said a strong relationship with Ford, the skill of a workforce used to making transitions to new programs, good relationships with all levels government and a location near new EV plants on both sides of the border make him optimistic about Windsor’s continued presence in a transformed industry.

Article content

Canadian Association of Mold Makers/Automate Canada president Jeanine Lassaline-Berglund said Ford’s decision is confirmation of the speed with which automakers are pursuing full electrification.

“It is always sad to watch investment in auto manufacturing go to the US, but our strong advanced manufacturing and part supply industries continue to do well with programs and projects even though investment announcements happen in the U.S.,” Lassaline-Berglund said.

“The quality, ingenuity, R and D and innovation that occurs in the advanced manufacturing sector in Canada remains a key part of the decision to partner with Canadian firms.”

Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association president Flavio Volpe said Ford’s announcement contains a couple of vital lessons for Ontario.

Article content

He said Ford essentially opted to bring battery manufacturing in-house to reduce vulnerability on a critical part in its supply chain and the 3,600-acre size of the Tennessee greenfield site is bigger than anything Ontario has on its mega-site list.

“The real question is where does Windsor fit in Ford’s powertrain future?” Volpe said. “I don’t see a negative answer to that.

“Windsor is well positioned for all of this for the same reasons why the engine plants are in Windsor.”

Invest WindsorEssex CEO Stephen Mackenzie said Essex County doesn’t have any sites in the 1,500-3,500 acres range, but it does have a several options that could handle large projects like a battery factory.

“We have several lots 125 to 175 acres, some already serviced, ready to go for green field projects that companies we’re working with are looking for,” MacKenzie said.

Article content

“We have a couple of really good sites 125 to 500 acres close to Windsor, the Windsor Airport lands and there’s the Honeywell site that’s about 500 acres in Amherstburg. There are also a couple in Tecumseh and the Twin Oaks industrial park.

“We have a pretty good inventory.”

D’Agnolo said the Ford announcement shows that for Canada to be a serious player in the EV game it must include governments aggressively pursuing companies, those in the industry such as Unifor outlining what they’re prepared to do and governments at all levels getting the right infrastructure in place.

Volpe said Canadian governments have become more engaged with the industry in the past two years.

“There ha ve been proactive conversations by the Prime Minister (Justin Trudeau) and Ontario Premier (Doug Ford) directly with companies saying we’re prepared to support the industry in multiple ways,” Volpe said.

Article content

“We need to get one of these giga factories early because then we can land a few in Canada.”

Mackenzie added Canada should simplify its sales pitch by having all incentives and funding information up front in the same way its American competitors do.

“Our local municipalities have been very responsive in designing programs and being proactive in the level of incentives for projects, so kudos to them,” MacKenzie said.

“At the provincial and federal level the incentives offered are very good, but the process is clunky.

“They need to design a formula that shows companies what support they’ll qualify for right up front, the criteria and how much is in a fund. Don’t make companies jump through hoops to find out.”

dwaddell@postmedia.com

twitter.com/winstarwaddell