RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today announced that Ford Motor Company will build a regional parts distribution center in Frederick County’s Coca-Cola Industrial Center. Through a $13.3 million investment in land, building and equipment, the company will create 95 new jobs. Construction on the initial 250,000-square-foot facility will begin in May 2003 and is scheduled for completion in November 2003. Virginia successfully competed with Maryland for the project.
“Ford has made an excellent decision by reinvesting in the Commonwealth,” said Governor Warner. “The company is a major employer in the Hampton Roads region, and I am pleased to see Ford expand its Virginia presence, creating new jobs in Frederick County.”
Ford Motor Company is building a series of regional parts distribution centers around the country in order to consolidate its national distribution system. In Frederick County, Ford will construct a 250,000-square-foot High Velocity Parts Distribution Center for high-demand maintenance and smaller replacement parts. The project also includes consideration of additional land for a possible second distribution facility.
Ford has a long history of operations in Virginia. The Norfolk Assembly Plant, where more than 2,000 employees build the best-selling F-150 pickup truck, opened in 1925.
“At Ford Motor Company, we are absolutely committed to superior customer satisfaction. We're not just talking about it, we're investing in it with facilities like our new center in Frederick County,” said Kathleen Ligocki, Vice President, Ford Customer Service Division.
“There's no question that this new national distribution network will provide the most efficient and cost-effective parts delivery to our dealers throughout the country,” Ligocki continued. “In fact, with the facilities that have opened thus far around the country, dealer order-to-delivery time has improved 80 percent, and we've already seen a significant increase in customer satisfaction. Our new Frederick County facility will play a big part in that continuing success”
“Ford chose Virginia as the location for our new High Velocity Parts Distribution Center because at the state and local level there are many positive attributes that support and encourage business development. Virginia has always made us feel like they really wanted Ford as a key member of their business community,” said Kent O'Hara, manager of Parts, Supply and Logistics Planning at Ford Motor Company.
Governor Warner approved a $75,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Frederick County with the project. The Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Frederick County and the Winchester-Frederick County Economic Development Commission assisted Ford with its decision. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide workforce training services.