Number One In Europe For Seventh Year
Published: 8th July 2003
The annual survey showed the Wearside plant produced 99 cars per employee in 2002*. This represents a 4% increase on 2001 when 95 cars per employee were produced.
The WMRC survey assesses the productivity of more than 40 passenger car plants, and Sunderland has remained top of its European league table since 1996 when it achieved a total of 73 cars per employee.
Managing Director of Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd, Colin Dodge, said: "I'd like to pay tribute to the skill and dedication of our workforce and the experience of the management team in maintaining Nissan's excellent productivity record.
"Last year was a challenging one for our plant with the launch of the new Micra and Primera as well as modifications to the Almera and the introduction of a whole new diesel range. The success of all these activities endorses the way Nissan builds cars not just in Sunderland, but world wide."
In the US, Nissan has topped the productivity table for the last eight years, and the Japanese plants consistently rank amongst the most productive in the world.
Colin added: "The manufacturing philosophy at Sunderland is the same as that adopted at Nissan's car plants across the globe. The 'Nissan Production Way' aims to be quality driven and waste-free and consistently delivers results.
"High productivity is the by-product of good manufacturing
practice and how successfully you run the whole business, Nissan
remains one of the best in the world at doing this. However, the
skill and adaptability of our workforce remains the biggest factor
in our success."
