Ford celebrates as Struandale produces three-millionth engine

The 3.2 litre five-cylinder Duratorq TDCi engine - destined to power a Ford Ranger - joined the long line of high quality engines that have been produced at this plant since it opened in 1964.

"The engines produced here, just as the people who produce them, are world class and have helped power Ford's success in Africa and around the world," said Jim Benintende, president of Ford Middle East and Africa, who is in South Africa to celebrate the engine and Ford's Go Further event.

"Ford has a long term commitment to South Africa. We are proud to serve our customers here with a full family of high quality, safe and fuel efficient vehicles. We are also very proud of our highly motivated and world class workforce. Every day they demonstrate a commitment to Ford's philosophy of continuous improvement with every vehicle that comes off the line," added Benintende.

Centre of excellence

"This is fantastic achievement for the Struandale Engine Plant," said plant manager Satya Banda. "We can be especially proud of the work our local team has done to position the Struandale Engine Plant as a centre of excellence, exporting not only to Asia and South America, but now also to North America for the first time in our history."

The Struandale Engine Plant employs approximately 600 people, and received a major boost in 2010 when it was awarded the export contract to machine components and assemble high-tech Duratorq TDCi engines for the Ford Ranger.

Over R3,4bn was invested in the Struandale Engine Plant and the Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria, which produces the Ranger for the South African market, and for export to over 148 markets around the world.

Capacity expanded

The crucial investment at the Port Elizabeth facility expanded the annual capacity of machined components at the plant to 220,000 component kits, comprising the cylinder head, block and crankshaft.

Approximately 75,000 of these are used for assembly of the advanced 2.2 litre four-cylinder and 3.2 litre five-cylinder engines which are shipped to Pretoria for installation in the Ranger. The balance of the component kits are exported to Ford engine assembly plants in Argentina and Thailand, thus enhancing the country's position as a regional centre of excellence and an export base for vehicles, engines and components.

Notably, the Struandale Engine Plant is the only facility in the world that both machines components and assembles engines for the global Ranger programme - which means that every Ranger around the world has a heart born in Port Elizabeth.