More Than a Workplace: Celebrating the Families Behind Ford Sharonville

Some places become part of a community because of where they are. Others become part of a community because of the people who have spent generations building something there. For nearly 70 years, the Ford Sharonville Transmission Plant has been both. Located just outside Cincinnati in Sharonville, Ohio, the facility has been part of Ford's manufacturing story since 1958. Over the decades, technology has changed, vehicles have changed and the automotive industry has changed dramatically. Yet the dedication of the people working inside the plant has remained a constant. That history was on our minds when Beechmont Ford had the opportunity to attend the 2026 Sharonville Transmission Plant Family Day. As a Ford dealer, we are proud to represent the finished vehicles that eventually make their way to our showroom. But visiting Sharonville gave us an opportunity to appreciate the much bigger story behind those vehicles. It is a story built on people, craftsmanship and pride. Where the Story Began When the Sharonville plant opened its doors in 1958, it began producing Ford-O-Matic three-speed transmissions. The automotive world looked very different then. Vehicles were becoming increasingly important to American families, manufacturing was entering a new era, and Ford was continuing to expand its production capabilities. Sharonville became an important part of that growth. Over the years, the facility has produced millions of transmissions and components and has continually adapted to meet the needs of a changing automotive industry. Today, the plant encompasses approximately 2.4 million square feet on a 182-acre site. But the size of the facility isn't what makes Sharonville remarkable. Its history does. Generation after generation of employees have walked through those doors and contributed to the products that ultimately become part of Ford vehicles on roads across America. An Industry That Never Stops Changing Automotive manufacturing requires constant evolution. What worked decades ago may not work today. New technology requires new skills. Production processes become more sophisticated. Customer expectations continue to change. Through all of those changes, Sharonville has continued to evolve. The plant's current production includes 6R140 and 10R80 finished transmissions, as well as gears used in several Ford transmission programs. For someone looking at a new Ford on a dealership lot, those components may be easy to overlook. But they are an important reminder that every vehicle represents an enormous amount of engineering, manufacturing and human effort. Before a customer ever sits behind the wheel, thousands of people have already contributed to that vehicle. Sharonville is one part of that incredible process. A Legacy Measured in People The history of a manufacturing facility can be measured in years, square footage and production numbers. But we think the most meaningful measurement is people. Today, more than 2,000 employees work at the Sharonville plant. That means more than 2,000 people bringing their skills, experience and dedication to work. It also means thousands of family members, friends and community members connected to the facility. That is what makes a place like Sharonville so much more than a factory. It is a community. And Family Day offered a wonderful reminder of that. A Day Worth Celebrating Being invited to Family Day gave our team the opportunity to experience the pride that exists within the Sharonville community. It was a chance for employees to share their workplace with their families and for everyone to celebrate the people who make the plant what it is. For Mt. Orab Ford, it was also an opportunity to say something simple but important: We see you. We appreciate you. And we are proud of what you do. We sell Ford vehicles every day, but we don't build them ourselves. The people at Sharonville and thousands of other Ford facilities around the country are the ones doing that work. Their dedication is something we are grateful for. Proud of the Past. Excited for the Future. There is a reason the word "legacy" matters when talking about Sharonville. A legacy isn't simply something that belongs to the past. It is something people continue. Every employee who walks through the doors today becomes part of a story that began in 1958. Every transmission produced adds another chapter. Every family connected to the plant becomes part of its community. And every Ford vehicle that eventually benefits from the work happening inside Sharonville carries a small piece of that legacy with it. That is something worth being proud of. Thank You for Building the Future Mt. Orab Ford is proud to represent Ford in our community. We are proud to sell Ford vehicles. And after our visit to Sharonville Family Day, we have an even greater appreciation for the people who make those vehicles possible. To everyone at the Sharonville Transmission Plant, thank you for being part of Ford's story and for continuing to write the next chapter. Your work matters. Your dedication matters. And the legacy you are building matters. We are proud to represent the finished product, but we are even more proud to recognize the people behind it. Nearly seven decades of history brought Ford and Sharonville to where they are today. The people who work there are what will carry that story forward.

The automotive industry is changing quickly, and today's dealership looks very different from the traditional image many people may have in mind. That was one of the topics discussed when Mark Williams Auto Group recently returned to the University of Cincinnati to meet with freshman business students. Charlie Watson, Marketing Director for Mark Williams Auto Group, and Josh Williams, General Manager of Queen City Ford and Vice President of Mark Williams Auto Group, shared their experiences and provided students with an inside look at the business of automotive retail. During the afternoon, the students learned about the various components that make up a dealership operation. Sales, service, marketing, customer communication, lead management, and other departments all play important roles, and each must work together to create a successful customer experience. Charlie and Josh also discussed the business side of automotive retail, including where dealership revenue comes from and how dealerships work to attract customers in an increasingly competitive marketplace. One of the biggest areas of change is technology. Artificial intelligence is becoming a growing part of the automotive business. Dealerships are exploring ways to use AI for marketing, communication, lead follow-up, data analysis, customer engagement, and internal processes. As these tools continue to develop, businesses must determine how to incorporate technology while still maintaining the human side of customer service. That made the topic particularly relevant for a group of business students preparing to enter the workforce. The students had plenty of questions throughout the discussion, creating an interactive conversation rather than simply a presentation. Charlie and Josh were able to share real examples from their careers while giving students a better understanding of what happens behind the scenes at an automotive group. The visit also connects directly to a project the students are completing for their coursework. Students will be conducting a SWOT analysis of Mark Williams Auto Group, examining the organization's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. They will then present their findings to the group. The project gives students an opportunity to take concepts they are learning in class and apply them to an actual business. It also gives Mark Williams Auto Group the chance to hear fresh observations from students who are looking at the company from an outside perspective. Experiences like this are an important part of connecting education with the business world. Students can learn about an industry directly from professionals working in it, while businesses can engage with the next generation of talent and hear new ideas. Mark Williams Auto Group is grateful to the University of Cincinnati for inviting the team back to campus. We enjoyed the conversation, appreciated the students' thoughtful questions, and are looking forward to seeing the results of their SWOT analysis.

As someone who works at a dealership, I spend a lot of time thinking about what makes a vehicle fit into someone's everyday life. Of course, we talk about technology, capability, cargo space and comfort. Those things matter. But I think some of the best vehicle experiences happen outside of the dealership. They happen when you have nowhere specific to be. When the weather is cool enough to wear a sweatshirt. When the leaves are changing. When you decide to take the scenic route instead of the fastest one. That is why fall might be my favorite time to drive around Cincinnati. And if you are looking for a vehicle that fits both everyday life and weekend adventures, the Ford Bronco Sport deserves a place in the conversation. For this fall road trip, we are skipping the traditional destination. Instead, we are building an entire day around some of the things Cincinnati does especially well: coffee, books, neighborhoods and a little bit of exploring. First Stop: Coffee and a Slow Morning Road trips do not need to start at sunrise. Sometimes a good fall adventure begins with sleeping in a little, putting on your favorite sweatshirt and heading out for coffee. Cincinnati has become home to an incredible number of independent coffee shops, each with its own personality. Whether you are looking for something modern, artistic, quiet or community-focused, there is a place for you. For this particular road trip, I would start in Over-the-Rhine. The neighborhood itself is worth exploring, especially during fall. Historic buildings, local restaurants and tree-lined streets make it one of those areas where you can easily spend more time than you originally planned. For a coffee stop with a little extra personality, visit Iris Book Cafe. Iris is more than a coffee shop. It is also a bookstore and gallery, giving visitors a chance to slow down and enjoy a completely different kind of atmosphere. Browse through used and collectible books, order a coffee and take a break from the pace of the week. Honestly, that sounds like a pretty good Saturday to me already. But we are just getting started. The Ford Bronco Sport Was Made for Flexible Plans The thing about Cincinnati is that you never really know where the day is going to take you. You might leave home planning to get coffee. Then someone suggests lunch. Then you see a sign for a park. Try Devou Park, it has one of the best views in Cincinnati! Then you cross the river. Then suddenly you have been gone for six hours. That is exactly why versatility matters. The Ford Bronco Sport gives drivers a compact SUV that feels comfortable in the city while still offering the adventurous capability that makes you want to keep exploring. Its size makes it practical for everyday driving and navigating around town. At the same time, its available features and flexible interior make it easy to pack for a weekend, bring along gear or load up everything you find throughout the day. And if you are anything like me, you somehow always come home with more stuff than you left with. Books are dangerous that way. Head East for Another Cincinnati Favorite After spending some time downtown, point the Ford Bronco Sport toward Hyde Park. One of the great things about planning a Cincinnati road trip is that you can experience completely different neighborhoods without spending hours in the car. Hyde Park has its own personality, and it is an especially nice place to spend time during the fall. Make a stop at Coffee Emporium for another coffee or an afternoon pastry. Coffee Emporium has long been part of Cincinnati's coffee scene and is known for its house-roasted coffee and relaxed atmosphere. It is the type of place where a quick stop can easily turn into an hour of conversation. Grab your drink and spend some time enjoying the neighborhood. Fall road trips should not be scheduled down to the minute. Leave room for unexpected stops. Bookstores Are Better in the Fall I am convinced bookstores are seasonal. Sure, you can visit one in July, but there is something about fall that makes browsing shelves feel even better. Maybe it is because we are all preparing for more time indoors. Maybe it is because a stack of books and a warm drink suddenly feels like an excellent weekend plan. If you are in the mood to continue the book-themed road trip, Joseph-Beth Booksellers is another Cincinnati destination worth visiting. The large independent bookstore offers plenty to explore, and its connected bistro makes it easy to turn a quick bookstore stop into a longer outing. This is also where the cargo space in your Ford Bronco Sport may come in handy. Because no one ever goes into a bookstore intending to buy seven books. It just happens. Take the Road Less Traveled One of my favorite things about driving in the fall is that the destination becomes less important. You notice things. The leaves changing along the road. A neighborhood you have not visited in years. A local business you did not know existed. A park that looks completely different than it did during summer. The Ford Bronco Sport fits that mindset. It is a vehicle designed around adventure, but adventure does not have to mean crossing a mountain range. Sometimes adventure is simply deciding not to go straight home. Take the longer route. Avoid the interstate. Explore some of the roads around Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky that you normally drive past without thinking twice. You may be surprised how much there is to discover close to home. End the Day Across the River For the final stop, head toward Covington. The drive across the river alone is enough to remind you why Cincinnati is such a great place to explore. The skyline views, bridges and changing fall colors create the perfect backdrop for a weekend drive. Make your way to Roebling Books & Coffee - Covington. It combines two of the best parts of a fall afternoon: a good coffee and a good bookstore. Located near the iconic Roebling Bridge, the shop offers books, coffee and a welcoming atmosphere for people who want to browse or simply sit for a while. It is also a great starting point for exploring the surrounding neighborhood and riverfront area. Pick out one more book. You have come this far. More Than Just a Drive At the dealership, we see people purchase vehicles for all kinds of reasons. A growing family. A new job. More space. Better fuel efficiency. A vehicle that can handle weekend adventures. The Ford Bronco Sport checks a lot of those boxes, but what stands out to me is how naturally it fits into the unexpected parts of life. The last-minute road trip. The fall weekend. The day that starts with coffee and somehow ends with a trunk full of books. That is what vehicles are really for. They take us places. This fall, take advantage of everything Cincinnati has waiting just outside your driveway. Find a new coffee shop. Visit a local bookstore. Drive somewhere you have never been. Take the scenic route. And if your adventures call for a versatile, capable SUV, come see the Ford Bronco Sport for yourself. You might be surprised where it takes you.