Next month Ford will begin installing the machinery to manufacture a new engine at the Annex plant.
The huge facility just off Seminole Street is mostly vacant, with a fresh coat of paint on the floor.
Ford's Windsor operations Site manager, Tony Savoni, is excited to see the facility come together.
Ford Windsor Operations Site manager Tony Savoni, February 15, 2018 (by AM800's Peter Langille)
He says they'll be using C-N-C, or Computer Numerical Control, equipment to make the engines.
It's computer controlled metal machining equipment.
Savoni says the equipment is essential, but the staff are the key.
"They understand how to make a good quality product and the pride that goes into it. The good news for us, people is a plus for us, because it's new equipment, new technologies and we're investing in our people to further advance their knowledge which is outstanding"
He says they're about to move to the next phase of the project.
Ford Annex plant in Windsor is clear and clean waiting for new engine making machinery. #cklw pic.twitter.com/zG3rOkaktI
— Peter Langille (@PLangille800) February 15, 2018
"The block, crank, rod line that should be all in around March - April. Crank line, the head line and the assembly line starts arriving in about July"
Savoni says test engines will be made before the end of 2018.
"Officially we'll be launching in the following year but obviously we'll start putting some of these engines in some evaluation vehicles. So we need to start moving engines probably by the end of this year we'll start moving some product around"
Savoni was cautious about what engine would be manufactured at the Annex plant, but officials have earlier indicated it would be a larger V-8.
Ford Vice President of Manufacturing and Labour Affairs - Bruce Hettle - has announced it will be a pickup truck engine.