Ford awards Lear, the manufacturer that left Almussafes

Ford awards Lear Corporation as Supplier of the Year 2026, a distinction that shines particularly if one considers its departure from Almussafes after the end of Transit Connect production in 2023.

When Lear left the plant located in the Juan Carlos I industrial estate, many had already considered it out of the local game. But, as often happens, things are not that simple and the recent recognition shows a different side of the coin.

The impact of Lear in Almussafes and its departure

Why does Lear leaving the Almussafes plant matter?

Lear's departure from Almussafes is relevant because it meant the closure of a line that had been active since 2013, when it replaced the previous supplier Johnson Control. This decision left a workforce out of a job that received compensation exceeding €110,000 per worker, a blow to the local industrial fabric.

What happened to the seat facility in Almussafes?

The plant where Lear operated remains in the hands of Atitlán, owned by Roberto Centeno, and is leased to Magna, the competitor that ultimately took over the manufacture of the new seats for the Almussafes models. This lease amounts to about €700,000 annually and underscores the economic importance of the facility, even though the relationship with Lear was broken.

The global expansion and innovation of Lear Corporation

Where is Lear’s new innovation center and what does it mean?

The new innovation center that Lear has opened in Rochester Hills, a Detroit suburb, is the masterstroke that convinced Ford and other manufacturers of its capability to lead the automation of industrial processes. The contracts signed reach hundreds of millions of dollars, a figure that demonstrates that Lear’s future is very different from its Valencian past.

Why does Ford value collaboration with Lear so highly?

According to Liz Door, Ford's supply chain director, this award recognizes Lear’s ability to offer excellence, sustainability, and innovation in its products and operations. Ford highlights the importance of a close and efficient relationship with suppliers to guarantee iconic vehicles and competitive services.

The meaning of the Supplier of the Year 2026 award

What does this recognition imply for Lear and Ford?

The award symbolizes joint work of Lear’s operations, engineering, and customer service teams, who have managed to adapt to a transforming sector and improve comfort, safety, and efficiency in Ford vehicles. Lear, with more than a century of experience, remains a world leader in automotive technology.

How has Lear reacted to this award?

Ray Scott, Lear’s president and CEO, has expressed pride in the recognition and emphasized the solid alliance with Ford. This award reflects a global effort to add value through sustainability and commitment to excellence, a clear message that Lear looks to the future with renewed strength.

The reality is that, despite its exit from Almussafes, Lear has managed to reinvent itself and establish itself as one of Ford’s most valued suppliers worldwide, an example of how the automotive industry is ruthless but offers opportunities for those who know how to play their cards well.