Ford announces 1200 new jobs at Claycomo – more good news from Manufacturing Jobs Act promoted

Building on its earlier commitments to retain jobs, and earlier announcements to add 2,800 more jobs in 2012 and 2013, Ford Motor Company today announced it is adding 1,200 additional jobs at the Claycomo, Mo, plant to support growing demand for the Ford Transit line of commercial vehicles.

“The job growth we have created in U.S. manufacturing is a testament to our strong partnership with the UAW, the union’s competitiveness, and the growing demand for Ford’s portfolio of cars, utilities and trucks,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas. “Adding a second shift to Kansas City Assembly Plant adds more jobs to this community, and it also helps deliver more Transit vehicles to more customers throughout North America.”

“This newest expansion of production, providing so many family-supporting jobs in the Kansas City area and across the state, is another example of how smart incentive plans like the Missouri Manufacturing Jobs Act that was promoted heavily by Associated Industries of Missouri, the Clay County Economic Development Council, civic leaders, legislators, and labor organizations, is supposed to work,” said Ray McCarty, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Missouri. “Our thanks to the strong leadership of Rep. Jerry Nolte, the leadership of the Missouri House and Missouri Senate, and Governor Nixon for making this a priority and the results have been astounding. Now, we need to build on this success and expand the Act so it may be used by industries other than auto manufacturers and their suppliers,” said McCarty.

“Today’s announcement is proof positive that Missouri workers can compete with anyone in the world and further cements Missouri’s position as a leader in next-generation automotive manufacturing,” said Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon. “Surging demand for the vehicles built here in Kansas City is a credit to the hard-working Missourians whose tremendous skills, creativity and work ethic continue to drive our economy forward.”

The investment also supports production of the all-new Ford F-150 in early 2015, after the truck launches at Dearborn Truck Plant later this year.