MBN USA

January 31, 2022

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Ford’s $5.8 billion Kentucky plant to create $5,000 jobs  

Join a Feb. event about subcontracting opportunities for this project. Learn more here. 

• Ford and SK Innovation to add close to 5,000 new jobs and invest $5.8 billion to build BlueOval SK Battery Park, a 1,500-acre battery manufacturing campus in Glendale, Kentucky; battery production is expected to begin in 2025

• BlueOval SK Battery Park will encompass twin battery plants to supply Ford’s North American assembly plants with locally assembled batteries for powering next generation electric Ford and Lincoln vehicles

• Ford will continue its 108-year history in Kentucky of partnering with the community to build this future together; Ford will create new training opportunities across the nation as part of its overall investment of $525 million in technician training

• Over the past 10 years, Ford has donated $6.4 million through Ford Fund, the company’s philanthropic arm, to causes that support communities across the commonwealth, including veterans organizations, the Louisville Zoo, Home of the Innocents and many other organizations that improve the quality of life in Kentucky

Ford Motor Co. recently announced plans to create a technologically advanced battery manufacturing campus in Glendale, Kentucky, that will produce batteries for the next generation of electric Ford and Lincoln vehicles. With production expected to begin in 2025, the all-new $5.8 billion, 1,500-acre dedicated battery manufacturing complex – BlueOval SK Battery Park – will create approximately 5,000 new jobs and help strengthen the local community.

While the creation of BlueOval SK Battery Park is crucial to the company’s long-term vision to lead America’s transition to electric vehicles, it also represents a greater commitment to central Kentucky. Throughout its 118-year history, Ford has supported and given back to the communities where it operates. As work begins at BlueOval SK Battery Park, Ford will engage with state and local officials, residents and businesses to ensure its development efforts align with the surrounding community.

With two assembly plants – Louisville Assembly Plant and Kentucky Truck Plant –  employing more than 13,000 workers, plus 172 suppliers and nearly 50 Ford dealerships in the state, Kentucky has long been a vital part of the Ford family, and the company is proud to be part of the communities there. As it expands its presence in Kentucky with BlueOval SK Battery Park and through its overall national investment of $525 million in technician training over the next five years, Ford will continue on being a good neighbor.

“Ford is excited to make this historic investment in the commonwealth of Kentucky, a state that has been part of the Ford story since we rolled a Model T down an assembly line in Louisville in 1913,” said Lisa Drake, chief operating officer, North America, Ford. “As we embark on this new phase of our journey together, it is our commitment that Ford will work hard to enrich and give back to the communities we are joining. We look forward to working with Kentuckians to create this future together.”

“We thank Ford Motor Company and SK Innovation for their investment in Team Kentucky,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. “This is the single largest investment in the history of our state and this project solidifies our leadership role in the future of the automotive manufacturing industry. It will transform our economy, creating a better Kentucky, with more opportunities, for our families for generations. Never again will we be thought of as a fly over state. Our time is now. Our future is now.”

A study by Boston Consulting Group highlights Ford’s commitment to manufacturing in the Louisville area and in Kentucky, including supporting nearly 120,000 direct and indirect jobs in the state and 48,000 direct and indirect jobs in Louisville, and a state GDP contribution of $11.8 billion. Over the past 10 years, Ford Fund has donated $6.4 million to causes that support communities across the commonwealth, including Louisville Zoo, Home of the Innocents, Dare to Care, Louisville Urban League and many other organizations that improve the quality of life in Kentucky.

Last year, when the pandemic upended lives, Ford changed out production lines almost overnight to make lifesaving personal protective equipment for frontline workers. The company’s Kentucky-based employees were critical to that effort, and Ford has donated more than 3.5 million pieces of personal protective equipment within the commonwealth.

About Ford Motor Co.

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, that is committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.  The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers.  Ford designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of connected, increasingly electrified passenger and commercial vehicles:  Ford trucks, utility vehicles, vans and cars, and Lincoln luxury vehicles.  The company is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, connected vehicle services and mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.  Ford employs about 184,000 people worldwide.  More information about the company, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company is available at corporate.ford.com.

About SK Innovation & Battery Business

Established as South Korea’s first oil refining company in 1962, SK Innovation engages in diverse areas of business, including exploration and production (E&P), batteries, and information and electronics materials. It owns SK Energy, South Korea’s No. 1 refining company; SK Global Chemical, the leader in the domestic petrochemical industry; SK Lubricants, a global lubricants company; SK Incheon Petrochem, a refining and chemical company; SK Trading International, a trader of crude oils and petrochemicals; and SK IE Technology, a global information and electronic material solution company. SK Innovation will split off its battery business on October 1 as a wholly owned subsidiary to accelerate business growth and promote corporate value. As part of their management system, SK Innovation pursues the maximization of happiness for all stakeholders. It is for this reason that SK Innovation recognizes the importance of and pays attention to social enterprise, a way to create social values through business.