Ford and MS-RT, the Ford Pro commercial vehicles conversion partner, have announced that MS-RT is to establish a new £4 million vehicle conversion facility at Ford Dagenham.
MS-RT creates distinctive (luxury sports) models based on Ford’s commercial vehicle nameplates – notably the Transit – and has been a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) since 2020, meeting Ford’s standards in manufacturing and quality control and offering full warranty support.
Ford and MS-RT already enjoy a close collaborative relationship, and with this new investment it provides the opportunity for MS-RT to expand its business while enabling easier access to Ford technical expertise in Dagenham and at the close-by Ford Britain Dunton Campus, the Ford Commercial Vehicles business group’s home in Europe.
Ford says the collaboration will accelerate the development of current and future MS-RT vehicles for discerning customers both in the UK and international markets.
The new facility is intended to provide work for more than 50 new employees when it comes online in 2022, rising to over 120 new jobs when fully operational, helping in the regeneration of one of the UK’s most deprived areas, and is needed due to increasing customer demand for the company’s vehicle conversions.
MS-RT confirmed that its existing facility in Pontypool, South Wales will continue to operate with no loss of jobs.
“This latest Ford and MS-RT cooperation supports Ford’s vision of expanding business opportunities at Ford Dagenham in addition to continuing to produce advanced technology diesel engines, and builds on our plan to grow our market presence through strategic relationships with key vehicle converters,” said Paul Baynes, manager, Marketing and Sales – Ford Pro Vehicle Solutions, Ford of Europe.