BIG BUT AGILE
BIG BUT AGILE
While Chicago never saw the automotive manufacturing glory of Detroit , it has one of the country ’ s oldest relationships with the auto industry . Originally used to produce the revolutionary Model-T , Ford Motor Company has operated a factory in Chicago since 1924 , according to Bloomberg . Until recently , the factory was used to produce Ford ’ s sedans – models which have seen poor sales in the last few years , casting doubts over the security of the factory ’ s workforce .
However , in February 2019 , Bloomberg reported Ford ’ s announcement that the automaker will invest $ 1bn in two of its Chicago factories and hire a further 500 workers , as the company pivots production away from its sedan line and towards more profitable sport-utility vehicles . “ We ’ re playing to our strengths ,” Kumar Galhotra , head of Ford ’ s North American operations , told reporters in January . “ That means we ’ re allocating our capital differently . 90 % of our capital is now going into trucks and utilities .”
The added investment will bring the total number of Ford employees in Chicago to 5,800 . The almost-centuryold factory will be given a complete , high-tech refit , including updated lighting systems , security and a new body and paint shop .
This combination of investment from large manufacturers , educational institutions , politicians and small , agile firms means that , whatever shape or size it may be , Chicago is working to manufacture a bright future for itself .
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