1,200 jobs as Nissan goes into overdrive

Feb 1 2008 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

UP to 1,200 new jobs will be created in the region as car giant Nissan responds to growing demand for its Qashqai model.

A third production shift is to be added at the Japanese firm’s plant in Washington, bringing 400 permanent and 400 temporary new jobs to the site.

Meanwhile, Nissan’s expansion is expected to create a further 400 jobs through the company’s North-East based supply chain.

Trevor Mann, senior vice-president of Nissan Europe, said: “Currently, on two shifts, we can produce 200,000 Qashqais per year. However, the car is proving so popular we now need to significantly increase our volume. Half of the new jobs will be full-time and the other 400 will be temporary, and all the new workers will be recruited by the end of the year.”

In addition to the new jobs at the firm – which currently employs 4,200 people in the region – 480 members of manufacturing staff on temporary three to six-month contracts will be offered permanent positions.

It comes just a day after airline Flybe pledged to create 1,000 jobs in the region through creating new routes out of Newcastle Airport.

The Qashqai has proved a popular crossover car since its launch last March, with sales reaching 130,000 units to date. Yesterday’s decision to ramp up the model’s production capacity follows news that a record 353,000 units of Qashqai, Note, Micra and Micra C+C rolled out of Washington last year.

Sarah Green, regional director of CBI North-East, said yesterday’s announcement was a sign that UK manufacturing still has a bright future. She said: “This is fantastic news for the North-East and is a real demonstration of how good manufacturing can compete in the UK. It represents Nissan’s largest ever recruitment campaign in the region and it is a great opportunity for individuals to get an excellent career and develop world class skills.”

Roger Maddison, national officer of the Unite union, said the jobs announcement was “fantastic news” for the economy and workers, adding: “This vote of confidence in the Nissan workforce and the UK car business is a smack in the face to the Peugeots of this world, who claim the UK is not the place to invest, and proves once again that UK manufacturing is alive and kicking.”

The news is certain to be a huge boost to the region’s manufacturing sector on the back of a year beset with closures and job losses.

Among several heavyweight manufacturing casualties in 2007, electronics giant Electrolux announced it would axe 500 jobs at its cooker factory in Spennymoor.

This year has begun in similar fashion with 100 workers being made redundant at the Corning Incorporated’s glass-blowing plant in Sunderland. And, earlier this week, Black and Decker announced plans to cull 169 jobs at its factory in Spennymoor.

Mr Mann said he welcomed job applications from people with any form of manufacturing experience since the 800 new Nissan jobs are not specialist to the motors industry. He expected to receive up to 10,000 applications for the jobs.

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Timeline

1984: Nissan and the UK Government sign an agreement to build a car plant in the UK.

1985: After 62 weeks, the completed Nissan factory in Sunderland is opened and 22 supervisors join the firm.

1986: The first Nissan Bluebird rolls off the production line and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher officially opens the plant.

1987: Employment reaches 1,100.

1988: Employment reaches 1,300 as exports of left-hand drive cars to Europe begin.

1991: Recruitment drive begins for 1,000 new workers.

1992: Employment reaches 4,000.

1994: Sunderland plant is named Britain’s biggest car exporter for the previous year.

1995: Additional £250m worth of investment increases Nissan’s commitment in the UK to £1.25bn.

1999: 800 new members of staff recruited from over 11,000 applicants.

2001: 300 temporary staff join the firm for the start of production of the new Primera car.

2003: World Markets Research Centre identifies the plant as the most productive in Europe for the seventh consecutive year.

2005: The Qashqai becomes the 10th new model to come to Sunderland.

2006: 1,000 jobs created as work begins on the Qashqai.

2007: 280 new jobs created to keep up with demand for the Qashqai.

2008: Nissan begins 800-job recruitment drive to produce yet more Qashqais.