Steel Markets
April 22, 2020
Ford Supplier Hit by Tornado
Written by Sandy Williams
A major supplier to Ford Motor Company was devastated by a tornado on April 13, potentially adding to the challenges Ford will face in resuming production when the coronavirus restrictions are lifted. The BorgWarner plant in Seneca, S.C., was heavily damaged as winds ripped off the roof and many of the walls, leaving the interior of the facility exposed.
BorgWarner manufactures transfer cases for Ford’s F-Series pickup trucks, a critical transmission part that shifts power to a second drive shaft to run all-wheel-drive vehicles. Initial assessment indicated that the Ford tooling for the part was not materially damaged. The supply disruption could impact production of the four-wheel drive and/or all-wheel drive versions of F-150, Expedition, Super Duty, Explorer, Transit, Lincoln Navigator and Lincoln Aviator, said Ford. Ford manufacturing has been closed due to the COVID-19 crisis, but plans to reopen sometime in the second quarter.
