Ford Parts Distribution Center Shut Down Over Asbestos

The Ford Daventry facility – which is the home of Ford UK’s Parts Distribution Center and the Henry Ford Academy dealer training facility – has undergone its fair share of updates over the years, which most recently included the beginning of a planned switchover to solar power, and it also stocks the new electric power unit (EPU) produced at the Halewood Plant for the aftermarket, to boot. However, Ford has now suspended operations at its UK-based Parts Distribution Center following an alarming discovery.

This shutdown stems from the discovery of asbestos in the distribution center following an on-site survey, according to BBC News. The exact substance that was found is called chrysotile – or white asbestos – which was discovered in small pieces of cement and can cause cancer. Thus, Ford has “suspended operations while external specialists conduct thorough cleaning,” the automaker said in a statement, adding that it has a “contingency action” in place to re-route parts orders to Cologne, Germany and Valencia, Spain.

“We are fully committed to providing a safe working environment and are keeping our employees updated regularly,” a Ford spokeswoman said. “This means that parts which can be supplied from those locations will be shipped to the UK and Ireland, although this will result in extended lead time.”

Asbestos isn’t typically harmful to humans when it’s in larger pieces and undamaged, but inhaling smaller fibers can can lead to serious issues including tumors, scarring of the lungs, lung cancer, and mesothelioma – which often leads to a life expectancy of less than 12 months after diagnosis – among other complications. The use of asbestos was banned in the UK back in 1999, which is also true of 66 total countries and territories across the globe.

We’ll have more on Ford’s facilities from around the world soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for non-stop Ford news coverage.