Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has appointed Angela Weathers as plant manager of its Silverton manufacturing facility in Pretoria, effective from August 2026.
Weathers succeeds Suresh Babu, who returned to India at the end of July to become plant manager at Ford’s Chennai Powertrain Operations.
She joins the South African operation after serving as Ford’s director of manufacturing quality operating systems in the US. She will report to Ford South Africa vice-president for manufacturing operations, Ockert Berry.
Weathers has spent more than three decades in Ford’s global manufacturing organisation, holding senior positions across engineering, quality, plant operations and management.
Her experience includes overseeing manufacturing transformation programmes, operational and quality systems, workplace safety and employee development.
READ: Ford Ranger retains SA double-cab sales crown in first half of 2026
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Weathers led Ford’s ventilator production programme in the US. The initiative formed part of the company’s response to shortages of critical medical equipment during the health crisis.
She takes charge of Silverton at a time when Ford and other South African vehicle manufacturers such as BMW, Isuzu, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen face growing pressure to improve productivity, localisation and export competitiveness amid shifts in the global automotive industry.
Ford Ranger production hub
The Silverton plant produces the Ford Ranger for South Africa and more than 100 export markets. It is one of the company’s strategically important global manufacturing operations and a major contributor to South Africa’s vehicle-export sector.
The facility was recently presented with Ford’s Global Vehicle Operations Plant Quality Excellence Award, which recognised Silverton as the company’s highest-performing Ranger manufacturing plant.
Berry said Weathers’ background in quality systems, advanced manufacturing technology and people management would support the next stage of the plant’s development.
“Angela has built an exceptional career across Ford’s global manufacturing organisation, combining operational excellence with deep expertise in quality, advanced manufacturing technologies and people leadership,” he said.
Ford’s second century of operations in South Africa
Her appointment also coincides with Ford’s second century of operations in South Africa. The American vehicle manufacturer established its local presence in 1923 and has since developed manufacturing and export operations centred on the Ranger.
Weathers will be tasked with maintaining the plant’s quality performance while improving efficiency, innovation and competitiveness in an increasingly challenging global production environment.
- Angela Weathers has been appointed plant manager of Ford's Silverton manufacturing facility in Pretoria, starting August 2026.
- She succeeds Suresh Babu, who returned to India to manage Ford’s Chennai Powertrain Operations.
- Weathers previously served as Ford’s director of manufacturing quality operating systems in the US and has over 30 years of experience across engineering, quality, plant operations, and management.
- The Silverton plant produces the Ford Ranger for South Africa and over 100 export markets, and recently received Ford’s Global Vehicle Operations Plant Quality Excellence Award.
- Weathers will report to Ockert Berry, Ford South Africa vice-president for manufacturing operations, and will focus on maintaining quality while improving efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness.
