WIREDGOV

Economy and Infrastructure Secretary, Ken Skates was at Bridgend Ford to see first hand the preparatory work underway  for production of the new Dragon Engine, which was brought to Wales with Welsh Government support to safeguard around 550 quality jobs.

While at the site, the Economy Secretary met management, workers and trade unions and discussed the opportunities and challenges facing the industry in the years ahead. 

Production of the new Dragon Engine is scheduled to begin in 2018. 

Speaking after the visit, Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure Ken Skates said:

“It was good to visit the Ford Engine Plant in Bridgend this morning and see the progress being made in preparing for the new Dragon engine production. Welsh Government support has helped bring this exciting project to the plant and it was great to see the precision manufacturing and world class skills that go into its development.

“During my visit I also got to talk to workers, management and unions about the challenges facing the automotive industry in the coming years. Electrification and the move to innovative battery technology means there is a need to secure new products for the plant to manufacture at the site from 2020.

“I made clear that the Welsh Government will do everything in it's power to work in social partnership and meet those challenges head on in order to secure a sustainable future for the Bridgend Engine Plant that can keep jobs and production in the community.”

The Welsh Government supported Ford Bridgend in winning a share of the global Dragon Engine production with a  £14.6m grant offer, to  safeguard  a predicted  772 jobs on the site. The facility will initially be producing 125k engines, safeguarding an estimated 550 jobs  but has capacity to add further lines to increase production and jobs created in the future.