HAMBURG, NY-A state incentives package valued at $7 million helped convince the Ford Motor Co. to invest $150 million in upgrades to its stamping plant here, just outside Buffalo. The 63-year-old, 2.5-million-square-foot facility is Ford's only remaining standalone stamping plant, with all others having either closed or been integrated with assembly facilities.

The new machinery and equipment will allow the Ford Stamping Plant to remain competitive, maintain its long-term presence in the region and retain 640 full-time, permanent jobs while creating 350 new ones in the region. “Ford's $150 million investment in its Hamburg facility is proof positive of Western New York's status as a leading hub of advanced manufacturing,” says Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Ford's investment will include the upgrading and addition of multiple press lines. The cut blanks, or pieces of metal that are stamped into car parts, will enable the automaker to ship these blanks to any Ford plant in the country. The Hamburg plant is closely tied with the Oakville, Ontario assembly plant across the Canadian border, which the company considers to be one of the most competitive and important facilities in the Ford system.

Comments Paul Kosaian, director of manufacturing, stamping operations, at Ford, “This is an investment that expands the plant's manufacturing capabilities, ensures the relationship with the Oakville site, and keeps Western New Yorkers working to fill the growing demand for the Ford F250, F-350, Flex, Edge, Focus and Econoline as well as the Lincoln MKX and MKT.”

A $5-million NY Works Fund capital grant will be used for a portion of the machinery and equipment purchases associated with facility renovation. Ford also qualified for up to $2 million in performance-based Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits from the state in return for the company's investment and job creation commitments. In addition to this $7-million incentive package, the Western New York Power Proceeds Allocation Board is recommending an award of $1 million to train 100 new employees.

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Ford to Upgrade Western NY Stamping Plant

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