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News Watch Issue 10, Thursday, December 20, 2001

Staff, Thursday December 20, 2001.

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In this our last issue for the year, the Ford Communications team would like to thank readers of News Watch for their interest and support of Ford activities. It has been a busy year for the company with a host of new vehicle launches, capped off by the news of a $500 million investment in a new vehicle line. 2002 will be an equally busy year with the company gearing up and, in the latter half, launching the new Falcon range. In closing for the year, we would like to wish you a relaxed, happy and safe Christmas break and we look forward to working with you in 2002 on major Ford happenings in Australia and around the world.

HOLIDAYS ON HOLD FOR KEY WORKERS
While most of the automotive manufacturing industry is winding down for Christmas, a team of Ford employees is winding up for a critical work period. Around 1000 employees will be on the job at Ford's Broadmeadows and Geelong operations throughout the Christmas/New Year holidays installing equipment critical to the successful launch of the new Falcon in the latter part of next year as well as undertaking general maintenance. Major projects at the Broadmeadows Assembly Plant worth more than $10 million will get underway, including installation of a new state-of-the-art, computerized welding facility to build the engine bay of the Falcon plus additional laser-technology wheel alignment facilities. In Geelong, the Stamping Plant is building a new high-technology $7 million robotic Falcon rear-floor assembly facility while the Powertrain Plant has $9.6 million worth of line upgrades happening as part of a new engine program. Ford engineers and maintenance employees will be working with suppliers to ensure the new systems are up and running when the plants resume operation on January 16, 2002.

TRADE CAREERS ON OFFER AT FORD
Ford Australia is currently offering around 30 new apprenticeship positions at its Geelong and Broadmeadows operations. This represents the largest in-take of new apprentices by the company since the late 1980s. Apprentices in the electrical, plumbing, fitter and turner trades are needed to work on the development of the new $500 million vehicle line announced by Ford last month. Training for the apprentices will be provided through Ford's on-the-job apprenticeship program run in conjunction with TAFE. It is expected the intake will be made up of a mixture of school leavers as well as mature-age job seekers. The positions are being advertised in Victorian newspapers with applications closing at the end of December. The new recruits are expected to start work at Ford in early February 2002. Further enquiries to Gerard Moloney in Ford Human Resources on (03) 5279 5747.

STUDENTS EXPERIENCE THE REAL WORLD OF WORK
As the 2001 school year finishes, Ford is celebrating the first successful six months of operation of its "Ford Alive" educational program for primary and secondary students. Over 10,000 school children have participated in the program which involves tours of Ford's Broadmeadows and Geelong manufacturing operations and Ford Discovery Centre. The aim is to give students an insight into the workings of a leading automotive manufacturer and to highlight best practices in areas such as workforce diversity, environmental impact, customer satisfaction and workplace safety. Ford's Manager Learning and Development, Jenni Williams, says the program has been an overwhelming success with Ford finding it difficult to keep up with the demand for school tours. In particular, she says the students enjoy experiencing the real world of work, especially the robots, as well as the simulation activity at the end of the tour where the students work in teams to design and build a Ford car. She says even bigger numbers of students are expected next year and the company is expanding the reach of the program through the launch of a "Ford Alive" interactive internet site.

FORD AUSTRALIA PLANTS WORLD LEADERS
Ford Australia has received recognition for operating leading-edge plants in the Ford world. Ford Broadmeadows assembly operations, Geelong Stamping and Geelong Powertrain have been rated in the top four plants for manufacturing excellence in the Ford world with only Valencia Engine Plant rating higher. Ford Broadmeadows received the accolade as the best assembly plant operation worldwide. The plants received the ratings for implementation of the Ford Production System, which is designed to improve competitiveness by producing the highest quality vehicles at the lowest cost with the shortest lead times. FPS measures such things as leadership, training, manufacturing engineering, work groups, efficient use of materials, environmental impact and safety standards. Assessment was undertaken by local and international FPS specialists in October this year. "This is an outstanding result by everyone given we are working towards a successful new Falcon launch," said Ford Australia's Vice President of Manufacturing, Rita Bateman. "FPS is providing us with the tools and systems to grow our business and compete in the global marketplace by using our cost advantages and team approach." Ford received special mention from the FPS assessors for its system of natural work groups, leadership quality, and training programs.

XMAS A TIME FOR GIVING
Christmas is a time for recognizing those less fortunate and Ford and its employees are supporting a range of initiatives in the spirit of the festive season. Giant Christmas trees throughout Ford plants and head office are acting as collection points for gifts and food items donated by employees for distribution by the Smith Family, Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul and the Variety Club. In addition, employees are helping the Smith Family to deliver hampers to homes by providing their cars for transport and acting as drivers. Another initiative saw Ford's Geelong operations extend a family fun day for employees to disabled children from special schools in the local area. The end of the year also sees distribution of funds from payroll deduction schemes that exist both for Broadmeadows and Geelong sites. A total employee contribution of $179,867, plus a Ford corporate donation of $60,000 have been collected over the past 12 months for a range of health and welfare organizations. Ford's Corporate Citizenship Manager, Gail Rodgers explained: "At Ford, the spirit of giving is not only evident in individual employees. As a company and as a team, we also seek to help those less fortunate than ourselves and to put something back into a community which supports us so much."

LAST MINUTE XMAS GIFT IDEAS
For Christmas gift ideas for the person who has everything try the new range of Gibson Motorsport and Tickford Racing merchandise recently released on the Ford Online Shop at www.fordshop.com.au There is something for everyone from a baby's jump suit, kid's collectable and remote-control cars, women's and men's wear and accessories. The clothing range includes race team jackets, windcheaters, rugby tops, t/shirts, polo tops, hats and caps. Apart from motorsport merchandise, there is a range of Ford-branded items including a special gift to gladden the hearts of children and collectors alike ? a reproduction old fashioned pedal toy, available in fire tuck and roadster versions and priced at $699. The fire truck features a little oak wood ladder, fire bell and fire hat, chrome-plated bumpers and tiny hub caps.

For further information contact:
Ford Australia Communications
Phone: 03-9359 8491

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News Watch Issue 10, Thursday, December 20, 2001

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