Montupet's Ford contract good news for Lisburn

Traders in Lisburn are hoping the town will enjoy a knock-on boost as a result of a new contract worth £200 million awarded by…

Traders in Lisburn are hoping the town will enjoy a knock-on boost as a result of a new contract worth £200 million awarded by Ford to Montupet UK. The French company’s Dunmurry-based plant is part of the Lisburn City borough and businesses in the area have welcomed Montupet’s success in landing the six-year contract.

Jim Burke, managing director of Montupet UK, said: “Securing this production order is very good news for the future of the plant as it will safeguard jobs and require significant investment.”

Montupet employ more than 550 people at its Dunmurry plant, which manufactures aluminium castings for the automotive industry.

The Northern Ireland plant has won the contract to produce a “Panther” cylinder head for the Ford Motor Company.

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Production will begin in 2015 and the new product will replace the “Puma” product currently in production.

It will be supplied to Ford Engine plants in Dagenham, Turkey, South Africa and China.

Francess McDonnell

Francess McDonnell

Francess McDonnell is a contributor to The Irish Times specialising in business