Continental Mark Iii
The Oakland County city is now preparing a life without Ford Motor Co. plant in Wixom, ease that gave the half-life of the territory of the century. Now the city seems to expire without Ford all have to try to live on their own.
Built in 1957, when the Detroit automaker established Lincoln luxury cars in Wixom as a separate division, this city in western Oakland County became home to the headquarters of Lincoln and a huge assembly plant. Over time, workers at Wixom Assembly built a classic American car after another, including the Ford Thunderbird and Lincoln vehicles covering milestone as the Continental, the Mark III-V and Town Car
But production was not enough. Lincoln experienced sales stagnation. And that forced the plant to cease production later this month. This was intimidated by Ford officials Wednesday, Wixom doing one of the nine plants that the automaker plans to close by 2008.
What will happen with the plant remains undecided, a Ford spokesman said. But workers at Ford City, politicians and companies remain optimistic about it. "We knew that the plant closure was coming and we have been preparing for a long time, "Wixom Mayor Michael McDonald said." Long ago we decided that we to diversify the economy. "McDonald said Ford taught the city to always be innovative, and not rely solely on Ford.
It is a lesson that the city has learned well. Fifteen years ago, the Ford plant make up half of the tax revenue of Wixom. Now, only eleven percent, about $ 1 million, income of the city, said City Manager Michael J. Dornan. The situation accelerates like a bullet, the type that title = "EBC Redstuff"> EBC Redstuff could not contain.
End of the lifetime of a decade
From the beginning, the plant near I-96 was routinely hailed for its cutting edge technology, quality and productivity. A decade ago, Wixom was expanded, becoming the largest Ford assembly plant hire in North America at 4.7 million feet squares.
At its peak in 1988, the plant produced 280,659 vehicles a year. According to Autodata Corp., this year will be less than 40,000. Ford sold a meager 3712 Lincoln Town Cars in April, a slide of 1,115 over the same period in 2006.
"This plant will idle 31 May, but his legacy never die, "Mario DiLisio, president of United Auto Workers Local 36, said during a visit to the plant on Wednesday. In Wixom hourly workers praised generous retirement packages Ford. "Yes, it's a sort of bittersweet moment, but the real good news is that everyone I know will land on their feet," said Alonzo Smith, 41 years, to be transferred to a Ford plant in Dearborn.
Jobs in Wixom Ford is a family affair for Smith, something not uncommon among Ford's hourly workers. His father, James Smith, of Alabama, moved to Michigan to work in a factory appreciated and spent 34 years at Ford Wixom. Alonzo Smith started at Ford Wixom after leaving the Marines in 1988. He met his wife, Stefanie Harris, Wixom plant, and has a brother there, too.
But he wants more for others in the family. "We want our children to continue their education. It's a great race, but expect that to maintain constant from generation to generation is not something I want. "
Wixom, without Ford
The City of Wixom is now focused on a future without Ford. For over a decade, The city has worked to attract small industrial enterprises, including at least six that have established their headquarters here. These include National Liquid Blasting Corp. which employs about 300 workers. General Motors Corp. and the power train units of service design are also in Wixom, with 300 employees.
"We been open to small businesses that only need about 2,000 square feet of small industrial companies that need 10,000 square feet, "said McDonald. "I can not think of one, really, that is based solely or in both the Ford Wixom plant for their business. However, there will be some pain." Of course, going to be a success, "McDonald said." I worry a lot of restaurants and dry cleaning workers who depended on Ford for their business. "
If things go as planned, Wixom city officials estimate the direct tax loss beaten by the Ford Wixom is $ 500,000 to $ 600,000 over the next five years. Several developers, said Wixom can adapt quickly. "I know a lot of communities in Michigan, wishing it could Wixom perform as well as now, "said Rob Hughes, vice president of Colliers International, a real estate company." I worry about the Quizno's, Dunkin Donuts' and Wendy is there, "Hughes said." But they are in a great location, right there in the middle of the western area growth Oakland and continue to attract high-tech facilities.
He added, "I have seen a number of former auto plants in the region, much less desirable locations, which have been redeveloped, so I think that many people believe that the plant will not be empty forever. "
About the Author:
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Ford Workers Say Goodbye to Wixom Plant
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