Ford Motor Company
As a result of investment totalling over £775m over recent years, Ford has turned its Dagenham Diesel Centre into its global centre for diesel engineering design and production.
This has been achieved by combining the manufacturing expertise of over 2,000 skilled production staff at Dagenham with an industry leading engineering team at their nearby Dunton Research and Development Centre. With the aid of 500 newly recruited manufacturing specialists 2007 saw Dagenham begin production of Ford’s new class leading 1.4 and 1.6 litre TDCI engines on a new purpose built assembly line. These low CO2 emission engines are at the forefront of Ford’s commitment to the low carbon vehicle agenda and feature in the new ECOnetic range of vehicles. Demand for these products will see Dagenham’s production top 1 million engines by the end of 2008.
Not only is Dagenham building a range of new and innovative low carbon products, but the plant itself is leading the way in eco-efficient production. Currently powered by two 3.6MW capacity wind turbines, with a third due for installation in 2009, the facility is unique amongst Ford operations. Use of wind power has seen gas and electricity consumption cut and 6,500 less tonnes of CO2 produced per year. Waste elimination also is key to the company’s strategy with the diversion of over 12,500 tonnes of material from landfill - old concrete from the site was recycled for use in the new engine production hall floor. Mineral oil use too has been cut with over 500,000 litres saved as the plant moves to increased use of ‘Green’ vegetable oil for metal working and other uses.
