Ford Struandale Engine Plant Wins Two Exporter of the Year Awards
Ford Motor Company’s Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth, South Africa was recently the recipient of two prizes at the 2017 Exporter of the Year awards. The Ford Struandale Engine Plant won its second straight Merit Award in the category of Best Exporter OEM, as well as its second straight IDC Job Creation Merit Award.
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The Best Exporter OEM Merit Award was bestowed upon the Port Elizabeth plant for its Duratorq TDCi diesel engines, which are exported to markets in India, China, and North America, as well as for the machine components that it exports to Thailand and Argentina.
“This Merit Award recognizes the commitment to excellence from the entire Struandale Engine Plant team, which has enabled us to achieve record volumes and grow our customer base significantly,” said John Cameron, Plant Manager, Ford Struandale Engine Plant. “Despite the growing global demand and resulting increase in volumes, we have improved on our efficiency targets from 88% to 94% in the past year, thus maximizing our production capacity and output.”
The Duratorq TDCi diesel engines are used to power the Ford Ranger and Everest produced at Ford’s Silverton plant; the Ranger and Everest are sold domestically and exported to markets throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
In addition, Ford won its second IDC Job Creation Merit Award, an honor earned thanks in large part to its Learnership Program. Conducted in partnership with MerSETA, the program has grown from just 15 learners in 2012 to 117 this year, providing dozens with the opportunity to obtain the skills and tools necessary to pursue careers and advancement in the fields of mechatronics, millwright apprenticeship, and office administration.
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