Maumee Authority Stamping has signed a purchase agreement

with Ford Motor Company to purchase Ford’s former stamping plant and all

equipment in Maumee.

Ford ceased production at the plant in October.

Keith Obey, president of Maumee Authority Stamping, said he

could not divulge details of the sale due to a confidentiality agreement with

Ford.

The new private, employee-owned company plans to begin

production in early to mid-May with 250 employees, Obey said.

“Production will begin as soon as we can train the employees

in manufacturing and safety,” he said.

The plant will produce stamped products for General Motors,

Chrysler, Magna, Freightliner and other automotive and non-automotive companies

in the appliance, heavy truck and recreational vehicle industries.

Obey said the company interviewed 1,200 people for potential

jobs at the plant, which resulted in the identification of 450 capable

applicants. The plant plans to hire 250 of those applicants during the next

four to six weeks with about 60 percent of the new hires being former Ford

employees at the stamping facility.

Maumee Authority Stamping received funding support for the

purchase from the State of Ohio, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, National

City Bank and company employees.

“All profits from this operation will stay right here with

our employees,” Obey said.

Obey retired from Ford in 2001 after working 27 years

for the automaker. He came to Maumee from Detroit and worked six years at the

Maumee Stamping Plant.

This entry was posted on Monday, March 31st, 2008 at 12:00 am and is filed under TFP Version 1.
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