Norfolk opened in 1925 and produced 7,983,458 cars and trucks over the years.
Ford Motor Company today announced the sale of its Norfolk Assembly Plant in Virginia to Atlanta-based Jacoby Development. As part of the transaction, Jacoby, in turn, sold a portion of the 100-acre former Ford Plant to Belgium-based Katoen Natie (KTN), a global logistics provider. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
KTN will invest $12 million to establish a new warehouse and distribution operation there – $10.5 million to purchase and refurbish a portion of the former Ford Plant, and an additional $1.5 million for new equipment.
Taxpayers of the Commonwealth of Virginia supported the transaction by providing financial assistance to KTN through the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program and Virginia Jobs Investment programs. The project is expected to create 225 new jobs.
Jacoby Development is also currently redeveloping another former Ford plant in Georgia adjacent to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Norfolk Assembly opened in 1925 and produced some of Ford’s best-known vehicles, including the Model T and the F-150 pick up truck. It closed in 2007 as one of 16 Ford facilities that were idled under the company’s plan to return its North American automotive operations to profitability.
Ford Norfolk Assembly History
- 1924 – The Ford Motor Company announces it will build a new assembly plant in Norfolk, Virginia, on 40-acre tract beside the Elizabeth River. The plant will include an assembly building, power house, oil house and pump house. The new plant will add 90,000 units to Ford’s production capacity in the United States.
- 1925 – On April 23, Norfolk Mayor S. Heth Tyler drives the plant’s first vehicle, a black Model T, off the assembly line. In July, the 100th car rolls off the Norfolk line. By the year’s end, the plant’s 750 employees have produced 29,519 cars and trucks.
- 1926 – Norfolk Assembly Plant is producing 300 vehicles a day.
- 1928 – Norfolk production totals increase, and the plant adds more lines. Norfolk is one of seven Ford plants beginning assembly operations on the Model A.
- 1933 – The economic effects of the Great Depression reduce production to 1,319 vehicles.
- 1941 – United Auto Workers Local 919 is founded, representing the plant’s hourly employees.
- 1942 – Edsel Ford, president of Ford Motor Company, signs an agreement with the United States government, turning over the plant’s production for wartime use.
- 1943 – The U.S. Navy takes control of the plant’s operations. The Naval Landing Force Depot performs repairs to landing craft engines and hulls. It also provides housing for 1,800 sailors and boasts such amenities as a chapel, dining hall and recreational facilities.
- 1945 – With World War II over, Ford regains control of the plant.
- 1951 – In November, the Norfolk plant produces its 1,000,000th vehicle.
- 1954 – In April, the Norfolk plant establishes a new company-wide safety mark. The plant exceeds 7,418,048 hours without serious injury.
- 1961 – In April, Ford announces a 58,200 square-foot expansion of the Norfolk plant. The addition will house the automotive side panel build-up operation.
- 1962 – The Norfolk plant shows its community spirit by providing food for families rescued from the Ash Wednesday storm. Evacuees from the nor’easter were housed at Bayview Elementary, where Ford employees deliver the food.
- 1963 – The Norfolk plant launches a multimillion-dollar expansion modernization program with cooperation from city, county and state officials focusing on employee training.
- 1967 – In May, Virginia Gov. Mills Godwin drives the Ford Motor Company’s 70th million U.S.-built vehicle off the assembly line in Norfolk. His ride is a Galaxie 500 two-door hardtop. The milestone vehicle remains in the Commonwealth for a year to demonstrate an experimental electronic driver aid called “Safety Sentinel.”
- 1974 – Norfolk Assembly Plant ceases to produce Ford passenger cars and focuses on building the F-series trucks. The F-Series remains the best-selling vehicle – car or truck – for 19 consecutive years.
- 1976 – Ford adds a second shift to Norfolk Assembly Plant and begins the implementation of a multimillion-dollar plant modernization program.
- 1978 – Norfolk plant produces 194,770 units.
- 1979 – Norfolk Assembly Plant is chosen as the company’s “lead plant” for production of the redesigned F-150 trucks. To ready the plant, the company invests $13 million for tooling and facilities, including a plant expansion to increase production by about 18,000 trucks.
- 1981– Ford F-series trucks are the best selling pickups in the world with an overall quality improvement of 35 percent at the Norfolk plant.
- 1987 – Norfolk Assembly Plant is the nation’s largest producer of the standard Ford F-150 pickup.
- 1990 – Norfolk Assembly Plant ranks No. 1 in customer satisfaction among all other Ford plants.
- 1997 – Total units produced in Norfolk this year exceed 6 million. F-150 Truck named Motor Trend Truck of the Year
