- FMCSA opens new world class Technical Training Centre in the lead up to new Ranger
- Development of expanded warehouse facilities gets underway at FMCSA’s Silverton Assembly Plant
PRETORIA, South Africa, 26 September 2011 – Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) recently opened its new Technical Training Centre and began plans to expand its warehouse facilities at its Silverton Assembly Plant. The new facilities form part of Ford’s R3.4 billion investment to transform the company’s manufacturing operation in South Africa.
The renovation of the Technical Training Centre began in November 2010 with FMCSA investing R1.65 million in the world class training hub. The Centre has five class rooms with seating for over 70 delegates; three workshop areas where individual practical sessions can be conducted as well as a computer training area. The state of the art facility is fully WiFi enabled, includes state of the art interactive whiteboards and runs the newly launched FordCast.
“We are extremely proud of the new Centre,” said President and CEO of FMCSA Jeff Nemeth. “We are now able to train technicians in an environment conducive to development and education. The technology incorporated into today’s vehicles means that training is of paramount importance and the new Centre provides world class amenities that will ensure our technicians are at the forefront of modern automotive technology.”
Nemeth continued by emphasising the importance of training in the customers overall experience of the brand, with the new Centre at the front line of Ford’s communications with its dealers and technicians. “During the vehicles lifetime the customer sees the sales person once, but meets with the service personnel for the next four to five years. A good service experience, coming from well trained technicians goes a long way towards influencing a customer’s decision to continue purchasing Ford’s products,” he explained.
In addition to opening the new Technical Training Centre, FMCSA is also expanding its warehouse facilities at the Silverton Assembly Plant to cater for new Ranger production.
In order to meet Ford’s global requirement and to cater for the high number of locally sourced parts a larger warehouse area was considered a necessity. The development of the new warehouses will ensure a smooth flow of materials resulting in better control of material with minimal risk.
“This project has been a long time in the making. We first announced plans to produce Ranger locally in 2008 and after nearly four years of hard work and dedication we are beginning to see the tangible benefits. It’s an exciting time for everyone at FMCSA and I’d like to take this opportunity to once again thank all of the FMCSA staff for bringing these projects to life,” concluded Nemeth.
