Ford confirms Genk plant will build new Mondeo from October 2013
Ford's decision secures 4,300 jobs at Genk as the Belgian factory prepares for the next-generation Mondeo, following months of uncertainty over its future.
Ford has confirmed that its Genk plant in Belgium will build the next-generation Mondeo, with production scheduled to start in October 2013. The decision ends months of uncertainty for the factory's 4,300 workers, who had sought assurances over the site’s future after speculation about potential restructuring and closure.
A Ford spokesperson in Belgium confirmed the allocation, stating that the Genk facility will be responsible for the new Mondeo. The announcement comes after union representatives demanded clarity on the plant’s future, following reports that Ford was considering a major restructuring of its European operations. The Wall Street Journal had recently reported that closure was under consideration, citing unnamed sources, as Ford’s European business faced heavy losses in 2012.
The confirmation is a relief for workers and local suppliers. Belgian unions described it as a “breath of oxygen” for the region, where around 10,000 additional jobs are tied to the plant through supplier contracts. Belgian employment minister Monica De Coninck welcomed the news, noting the importance of the factory for the local economy near the Dutch and German borders.
Genk's history with Mondeo and Ford models
Genk has been central to Ford’s European production strategy since opening in 1964. The plant has built a succession of models, including the Taunus, Sierra and Transit, but since 1993 it has been the sole production site for the Mondeo. By 2012, Genk had produced 14 million vehicles, with Mondeo, S-Max and Galaxy then on the lines. Nearly all output is exported, with daily production typically reaching 1,000 vehicles.
Ford invested around €600 million in Genk to modernise the facility and prepare it for the new generation of models, including the Mondeo, Galaxy and S-Max. The investment aimed to make production more flexible and efficient, reflecting Ford’s need to adapt to fluctuating European demand and changing model mixes.
What the decision means for jobs and suppliers
The allocation of the Mondeo secures direct employment for 4,300 staff at Genk and supports thousands more jobs in the region. Unions had warned that closure would have a severe impact on the local economy, given the plant’s role as a major employer and its links to suppliers. According to union sources, the confirmation of a production start date was more than they had expected after a period of uncertainty.
Ford’s European business remained under pressure, with sales falling across the continent in 2012. The company’s net profit dropped by 57 percent to $1.04 billion in the second quarter, driven by losses in Europe. While the Mondeo allocation secures Genk’s immediate future, Ford is still expected to announce a wider European restructuring plan in the coming months.
Genk’s output and export focus
Genk’s output is heavily export-oriented, with 95 percent of production shipped outside Belgium. The plant’s daily capacity of 1,000 vehicles underlines its importance within Ford’s European manufacturing network. With the new Mondeo, Genk continues its role as a key supplier to Ford’s global markets.
- Plant opened in 1964, initially building the Taunus 12M.
- Produced Sierra, Escort, Transit and Mondeo over the decades.
- 14 million vehicles built by 2012.
