CATEGORIES

• Ask ColCam
• Commercials
• Full Ford
• Going Ford
• Industry News
• My Wheels
• Racing
• Events
• Test Drive
• Ford Dealer List

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

News Watch Issue 7, Friday, 14th September 2001

Staff, Monday September 17, 2001.

Page 1 of 1

FORD EMPLOYEES UNITED IN MOMENT OF SILENCE
Employees of Ford Australia stopped for a moment of silence last Thursday, joining their colleagues in Ford locations around the world, as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the terrorist actions in the United States on Tuesday. A joint statement from Ford Chairman Bill Ford and President and CEO Jacques Nasser said: "Around the world, there is grief and shock over the terrorist actions. Ford employees have joined the global community in expressing disbelief and sadness at these events, as well as support for the many victims and their families."

Ford in the US is donating vehicles to local authorities, making financial contributions to the Red Cross and organizing blood drives in many locations.

BALANCING ACT RECEIVES APPLAUSE
Ford Australia has won two national awards for its achievements in balancing the work and lives of employees. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced Ford as the winner of the Best Single Innovative Initiative and First Steps Awards at the National Work and Family Awards 2001 announced in Sydney on Wednesday. The awards recognize the company's programs to provide a more family-friendly work environment for employees. The company's innovative WorkLife Week (see story below) received special commendation. Ford initiatives include offering flexible work practices such as part-time, job sharing and telecommuting work arrangements, setting up an employee-run WorkLife Balance Taskforce, and operating on-site company gyms to contribute to employee health and fitness. Ford's Vice President of Human Resources, Bill Dirkson, says such initiatives are taking work/life balance from an "underground issue for employees to one that's up-front – we're sending the message that it's not only OK to be concerned about your work/life integration but that you should be doing it as part of your business imperatives."

EMPLOYEES STRIKE THE RIGHT BALANCE
Times are changing at Ford Australia if the lunch hour at any of the company's plants or offices is anything to go by. Employees line up for a shoulder massage while others attend a parent education forum. A cosmetic consultant is nearby to give you a makeover or just some advice on how to defy the aging process. There is information on the best holiday destinations and even a course underway to learn scuba diving. The activities are all part of a Ford program held over the past week, which encourages employees to look at new ways to strike a balance between their work and home lives. Called WorkLife Week, the promotion is particularly relevant, according to Ford Diversity Manager Serenella Prelaz, given the current debate about the long hours worked by many Australian employees that would be considered quite excessive in Europe. She says that taking care of employees' physical and mental health is a priority of the company. "Our people are our greatest resource is an old adage of the company, and it's one we take seriously. We have a very loyal and passionate workforce here, but it's important that they take time out to 'smell the flowers' sometimes. That's part of what this week is all about." Other activities include advice on part-time study, investment, sustainable resources, lifestyle and sporting activities, health and self-defence.

FORD DRIVE TO REDUCE HAZARDS ON THE RACE TRACK
As Ford Australia's Corporate Manager of Health, Safety and Security, Kim Flanagan is used to dealing with safety hazards on the production line. Now he is aiming to transfer his expertise to dealing with safety hazards on the race track. Kim and his team are visiting Ford's V8 racing teams to brief pit crews on occupational health and safety issues. He says the briefings are designed to improve safety, prevent injuries and improve efficiency. "The most common injuries with pit crews are sprains and strains. Our job is to work with individual team members to better understand their jobs, develop ways to minimize injuries, and reduce time spent on tasks." Kim is working with Ford Tickford Racing and will soon talk with Gibson Racing and the Queensland teams. His team's initial work is focusing on the pit crews but the next step will see them looking at ways of improving the performance of drivers, particularly at endurance races such as Bathurst. "Ford is a leader in occupational health and safety in the automotive industry and we hope to transfer this expertise to give a winning edge to our racing teams," he says.

FORD DESIGNS CARS WITH SENIORS IN MIND USING THE THIRD AGE SUIT
The desire to understand the unique needs of older customers has led to Ford Motor Company's breakthrough development of the Third Age Suit. The research tool is used to assist ergonomics engineers in developing vehicles for customers as much as 30 years older than they are. The suit, which looks like a cross between a bee-catcher's protective gear and high-tech astronaut suit, is made up of materials that add bulk and restrict movement in key areas of the body such as the knee, elbow, stomach and back. Together with gloves that reduce sense of touch and goggles that simulate cataracts, the Third Age Suit gives engineers and designers a feel for the needs of an older generation as they design new vehicles. "When you're young and fit enough to leap out of a car without effort, it's hard to appreciate why an older person may need to lower themselves out of the driver's seat by pushing on the seat back and the door frame," said Jeffrey Pike, Ford Senior Technical Specialist. "But try leaping out while you are wearing this suit and you really understand the challenges an older driver faces." The suit is being used to keep pace with the demands of aging baby boomers over the coming decades. Demographics show that the number of people in the US alone between 55 and 74 will almost double by 2030 – rising from 40 million to about 74 million.

FORD LAUNCHES FIRST PRODUCTION-PROTOTYPE FUEL CELL VEHICLE
Ford's first working production-prototype, direct-hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle, the Ford Focus FCV, demonstrates the company's vision of bringing high-tech and high volume together for the first time by combining the world's most advance powertrain with the world's best-selling passenger car. The Ford Focus FCV showcases Ford Motor Company’s continuing effort toward production of full-performance fuel cell vehicles with zero-emissions capability. "The technology embodied in the Ford Focus FCV offers a promising potential for the future," said Rudolf Kunze, Ford of Europe's Chief Technical Officer. "We're working very hard to demonstrate the technical capability of fuel cells, but we're still a long way from having fuel cells that will compete with internal combustion vehicles. There are still enormous hurdles that must be overcome in reducing cost, improving reliability and fuel availability, but this operational prototype Focus FCV makes this continuing research effort seem all the more achievable." Ford has already delivered a Focus FCV to the California Fuel Cell Partnership for use in demonstrating the capabilities of fuel cell vehicles. The partnership includes auto manufacturers, energy providers, fuel cell companies and California state agencies. It plans to put up to 50 fuel cell vehicles on the road between 2001 and 2004. In addition to testing the vehicles, the partnership will also identify fuel infrastructure issues and prepare the Californian market for this new technology.

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

Previous Article: All New Explorer on Sale in November
Next Article: Work/Life Wins at Ford Australia