People

Our employees are the driving force behind our success. Our recent financial recovery can be attributed in large part to the dedication and strong performance of our workforce. Our employees are also critical in our efforts to contribute to our communities. Ford is dedicated to contributing to society and being actively involved in the communities at all of our sites globally. In Europe, Ford remains true to this corporate citizenship mindset and is proud of its long history of working to benefit society outside of just the vehicles we produce.

In 2000, Ford in Germany launched the Community Involvement Program, which connects Ford employees to opportunities for volunteering in the community. Since then, approximately 9,200 Ford employees have volunteered through this program, working on some 1,150 projects and dedicating more than 150,000 working hours. In 2011 alone, we supported approximately 120 volunteering and community projects through this program. Specifically, 800 employees each contributed 16 hours of their time, funded by Ford, totaling 12,800 hours. We also provide five Ford Transit vans to support 45 additional projects. The vans were driven a total of 60,000km, which equates to 631 (vehicle) days on the road.

Also in 2011, Ford of Europe volunteers went out into the community as part of the European Year of Volunteering, as well as the Ford Global Week of Caring. In the U.K., for example, Bridgend Engine Plant employees in South Wales walked 22 miles to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, a local charity. Sixteen Ford Product Development volunteers from the Dunton Technical Centre worked at the Basildon Disabled Sports Club, trimming hedges, cutting grass and clearing gardens. Ford volunteers in Scotland participated in a bike ride to fight breast cancer. In Spain, Ford volunteers repaired and painted the walls of a center for the mentally challenged and helped to preserve native plant species in a national park. Ford Genk volunteers restored trails and footpaths to make them accessible for wheelchairs. And Ford Cologne volunteers arranged a volunteering conference and supported the Red Cross Volunteering Congress, among many other activities.

Explore a full list of our Global Week of Caring and other volunteerism efforts in Ford of Europe.

For a discussion of our global commitment to our stakeholders please see the People section.