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Ford invites most powerful suppliers of the vehicle industry at Craiova

The purpose of the meeting is to encourage suppliers to open new operational centers in Romania.

On September 3, the leading 40 suppliers of the vehicle industry are due to visit Craiova, where they will attend a meeting initiated by Ford Europe, Agerpres announces.

On this occasion, Ford representatives will shortly present the company's plans to turn the factory into a highly modern production centre. "This conference aims to be an example to prove that we honour all engagements we assumed during the privatisation process, when we promised to encourage our suppliers to open operational centers in Romania, either by using Romanian suppliers as partners in their activity, or by opening subsidiaries, in order to support our production in Craiova," John Fleming, President and CEO for Ford Europe declared. Nevertheless, the company does not intend to reveal any details referring to additional investments or employment plans, according to Fleming.

Most companies invited to attend the event already supply parts for the seven vehicle manufacturing works of Ford Europe in Belgium, Germany, UK, Russia, Spain and Turkey. The conference was also attended by a few Romanian companies in this field that have no business partnership with field at the time being. On September 2, all the guests will be invited to an official meeting in Bucharest, an event due to be attended by Premier Calin Popescu-Tariceanu as well. "The conference in Craiova is part of our strategy to stir the interest of suppliers and is the next step in our plans to prepare the production for our Romanian works," Birgit Behrendt, Executive Manager for Global Programs and Vice-President for acquisitions realized by Ford Europe announced. "Beside informing suppliers on our plans for Craiova, during the meeting we will also present details on the local business opportunities, starting with the identification of the Romanian companies that meet our requirements for delivering goods and services and the existing possibilities to establish our own operations in Romania," Behrend added.

At the beginning of this year, after overtaking the factory in Craiova, Ford Europe confirmed that the model Ford Transit Connect will be produced at the factory in Craiova after the first half of the year 2009. The company also confirmed that, in 2010, the Craiova factory will start producing a new small-class model, other than the new Fiesta.

On March 21, 2008, Ford Motor Company became the leading shareholder of the previous vehicle producing centre Automobile Craiova. Therefore, this factory joined the seven car manufacturing works and the 13 factories producing parts, accessories, motors etc. (including joint venture companies), owned by Ford all over Europe. The investments made by Ford reached EUR 675 M up to the present date. The modernization works of the factory have already started. Moreover, at the end of July 2008, Ford Europe announced the intention to found a National Sales Company in Romania, due to overtake, starting in August 2010, the entire responsibility of marketing, sales and service activities for Ford vehicles. The company has calculated that expenses will reach EUR 1 billion annually in Romania, in order to support the activities of the factory in Craiova. The number of the employees will be doubled, from the present number of 3,900 to 7,000 and the annual production of vehicles and motors will rise to 300,000 units respectively.

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Tags: craiova factory company europe romania suppliers vehicle car

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