Eastern Railroad Discussion > Norfolk, VA Ford Plant Closing

This was just announced this morning. The plant in Norfolk was originally a customer of the Virginian Railway and provides alot of business to NS in modern times. I feel sorry for the 2,400 workers who will lose their jobs.

http://www.wavy.com/Global/story.asp?S=4766222

Jeff Hawkins

There goes 184-185...

Robbman Wrote:
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> There goes 184-185...


Yes, as well as HUNDREDS of related jobs in other industries that serve the plant and its employees. GET YOUR PHOTOS OF THE FORD-PARTS TRAINS NOW, while they're still running to/from Norfolk. Hmm... 'wonder what the RR industry will do with any surplus Auto-Parts boxcars, if enough plants shut down all over the U.S.?

Rhett,

More like thousands of jobs...

2400 at the plant...

an additional 2000 in surronding areas

The skeptical could say ford is fishing for tax relief and city/state grants by threatening to close a plant they previously indicated was in healthy financial shape.

Several politicians have already indicated the public trough is open for fords feeding.

Michael

Sad story, but not shocking. Ford just doesn't need 3 assembly plants building F-150s. Of the other 2 Kansas City is running at full tilt, but Dearborn's not. For the money Ford poured into the Dearborn plant over the past 5 years they have to move Norfolk's production there. Plus, the fact that Norfolk is not set up to assemble crew cab (super crews in Ford's verb age) trucks helped doom this plant. Louisville handles the Super Duty production without problems, so don't look for Ford to move any production there to keep Norfolk open. Very sad story for the 2400 workers in Norfolk and the 1800 in Minneapolis at the Ranger plant that's also closing. Toyota building the new Tundra assembly plant in San Antonio also played into Ford's decision. Toyota wants and will get part a larger part of the US light duty truck sales.

Ford still has 2 more assembly plants to close before 2012. The sad story will continue.

Mark

mhiser Wrote:
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> Ford still has 2 more assembly plants to close
> before 2012. The sad story will continue.
>
> Mark

Wasn't St. Paul's closing also announced? Does it count toward the two more?

No, it was rumored because Ranger sales have been very disappointing for the past 2 years.

> Wasn't St. Paul's closing also announced? Does it
> count toward the two more?

mhiser Wrote:
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> No, it was rumored because Ranger sales have been
> very disappointing for the past 2 years.

Looks like St. Paul's closing is more than a rumor:

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/04/13/fordclosure/

Is Ford gradually pulling back to a Midwest network of assembly and part plants? Does this mean fewer parts shipments but more automobile traffic in the railroads' future?