French minister optimistic over buyer for Ford Blanquefort plant

[September 21, 2018]  BORDEAUX, France (Reuters) - French Economy minister Bruno Le Maire said on Friday that talks with Belgian transmissions supplier Punch Powerglide over the purchase of Ford's <F.N> Blanquefort gearbox plant in southwestern France should be concluded next month.

French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire delivers a speech during the official inauguration of the CMA CGM Antoine de Saint Exupery container ship in Le Havre, France September 6, 2018. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

In June, the U.S. carmaker had said it would close the plant if no buyer could be found for the site, which employs 900 workers.

"I hope we can reach a deal before end-October," Le Maire said after meeting with staff representatives in Bordeaux.

Punch Powerglide was a "credible, solid buyer" but had yet to detail its plans and production forecasts for Blanquefort, Le Maire said.

(Reporting by Claude Canellas, Writing by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Laurence Frost)

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