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Nissan create 2,000 jobs in Sunderland

Nissan’s latest investment in UK manufacturing has been welcomed by the Business Secretary, who also announced that the latest project will be supported by Government funding.

Nissan will unveiled their Invitation concept car at the Geneva Motor Show later today. The new car will begin production in Sunderland next year, creating around 2000 new jobs at the plant and in the wider supply chain.

Commenting on the news, Vince Cable said: “It is fantastic news that Nissan will be building the new model in Sunderland. The investment is a boost for jobs at Nissan’s plant as well as the wider supply chain.

“This latest announcement highlights the UK’s track record of attracting inward investment. Global vehicle manufacturers are beating a path to the UK’s door. They recognise that the Government values the automotive sector.

“Nissan was able to push on with developing this latest project thanks to the Regional Growth Fund offer.”

NECC director of membership and policy Andrew Sugden echoed these sentiments, congratulating Nissan’s dedicated workforce on another major coup for the plant.

He added: “Nissan is one of the North East’s blue chip companies. For quarter of a century it has established a reputation for excellence and continuous improvement, regularly smashing its own production records.

“The unparalleled level of performance from the Wearside workforce can only have served to convince Nissan’s senior management that Sunderland is the perfect place to oversee production of this new vehicle.

“The importance of Nissan to the regional economy cannot be underestimated. For every person employed by the company another four are supported in Nissan’s supply chain and with employment at the plant reaching a record high this is another welcome achievement.

Last year Nissan received a conditional offer of funding from the first round of the Governments Regional Growth Fund. While the firm is still going through the due diligence process, it has enables Nissan to progress development of the new vehicle.

Nissan is one of several businesses in the automotive sector to receive conditional offers from the £2.4 billion Regional Growth Fund (RGF). Two businesses in Nissan’s supply chain have also received funds from the RGF, Unipres Europe Limited and Vantec Europe Limited.

Unipres, which supplies parts to Nissan, will receive £5 million in funding, creating 236 jobs in the Sunderland. Vantec manage 100% of Nissan’s warehousing capacity and will use their funding to expand capacity to Nissan’s new model.

John Cridland, CBI director-general commented: “This is brilliant news for jobs in the north-east and a real boost for business investment in the UK.

“The Nissan Sunderland journey is a remarkable story demonstrating British manufacturing capabilities at their best, excellent training, a committed skilled workforce and brilliant determined leadership.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .