One Million and Counting
Nissan UK
The Nissan UK factory at Sunderland celebrated this July as the 1 millionth car made in Britain for Britain roled off the production line.
Nissan UK are also celebrating their 20th year at Sunderland and in that time 3.6 million cars have been produced mainly for the overseas market, making it the Uk's largest car manufacturing plant. For the past 7 years the plant has been Europe's most productive car factory and these achievements have been planned from the start.
The plant itself is highly sophisticated using robotic and computer intergrated manufacturing techniques and operates using Just-In-Time technology. Every vehichle is monitored automatically throughout production and a transponder attached to the chassis leg contains all of a vehicle's production data, from colour to trim. Sensors are triggered at various points along the production line to alert the relevant company or section who will then produce the specific part Just-in-time to meet the vehicle along the line when it is needed.
This technology and Nissan's commitment to training staff and quality standards have enabled the factory to become the most productive plant in Europe.
Submitted by: Sarah McLeod, 03 August 2004
