COUNCILLOR Derek Burke, Mayor of Southampton, took time out to see a new hi-tech vehicle paint shop in action when he officially opened the new facility at Ford's Southampton plant.

An investment of £40 million has created an unique four-storey paint shop, complete with the latest robotics and automated equipment.

Vehicles now enter the paint shop and remain in a fully automated "clean" environment, which reduces dirt contamination. The investment will improve both the quality and appearance of the 395 vehicles which roll out of the paint shop every day.

Johannes Oimann, plant manager at the Southampton factory at Swaythling, said: "It is pleasing to see this 14-month project come to fruition. We have overcome many logistical hurdles and worked closely with the local community to ensure that the shop meets their needs as well as all current and known future environmental requirements.

"The investment is part of a rolling European programme at Ford to update paint shops and ensures that we are ready for the new Transit when it is launched late next year."

The Ford plant at Southampton employs more than 1,800 people and is the sole UK producer of the Transit.

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