Ford Pro commercial vehicle conversions partner MS-RT is to create a new £4m facility at Ford’s Dagenham site.

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

The new facility will open in 2022 and will enable MS-RT to both expand its business and access Ford expertise to accelerate the development of vehicles for the UK and international markets.

MS-RT said the new site was needed due to increasing customer demand for the company’s vehicle conversions and that its existing MS facility in Pontypool, South Wales will continue to operate with no loss of jobs.

MS-RT creates distinctive models based on Ford’s leading commercial vehicle nameplates and has been a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) since 2020, bringing benefits including full warranty support.

Its products are also now available through Ford’s One Stop Shop scheme, where converted vehicles are included on Ford product price lists and can be purchased by customers directly from Ford dealerships.

The new Dagenham site will create more than 120 new jobs when fully operational, helping in the regeneration of one of the UK’s most deprived areas.

Edward Davies, MS-RT’s founder and director, said: ‘We are delighted to be building on our partnership with Ford by opening a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Ford Dagenham. The new site will drive innovation, expand our manufacturing capability, and further strengthen our collaboration with Ford.”

“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,” added Paul Baynes, manager, marketing and sales – Ford Pro Vehicle Solutions, Ford of Europe.