'Major' economic boost for North East as Nissan supplier opens new car parts facility

A Nissan car parts supplier has opened its new Sunderland facility with further job opportunities expected as the company grows.

Magna, which is headquartered in Ontario Canada, provides a range of components, including major body and chassis parts, to the automotive sector.

The Sunderland site is one of 12 UK facilities employing 2,125 people, with the Sunderland site servicing Nissan, supplying exterior trim parts for the third generation Qashqai.

The facility houses a robotic assembly line, and Magna has also introduced its new proprietary technology to Sunderland, producing a fully assembled thermo-plastic liftgate, a lightweight alternative to steel.

Tony Park, group general manager, Magna Exteriors UK, said: “We’re thrilled to celebrate the opening of our facility which has established itself as a key UK site, and critical in supporting our work with Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK.

“We’ve been delighted with the speed at which we have been able to appoint a skilled team to get up to capacity, and our ambition is that this facility keeps growing as we continue to service Nissan and our customers across the UK to the highest possible standard.”

Since first establishing in the city, Magna has been able to recruit 280 people, with many more roles to fill in the future as customer demand increases.

The company also has ambitions to build upon work around electrification, which in time could create further opportunities for growth, creating further jobs in the process.

Cllr Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, commented: “Sunderland is at the beating heart of Europe’s automotive sector, and at the forefront of the electric revolution in advanced manufacturing.

“Nissan’s success has generated many thousands of jobs in the region, and Magna’s move to the city is a fantastic example of Sunderland’s ability to support successful local supply chains, thanks to its exceptional people, great connectivity and collaborative advanced manufacturing cluster.

“It’s exciting to celebrate the opening of Magna’s facility here, an occasion that augments the fantastic advanced manufacturing base we have in this city, and celebrates the talented local people who have played a part in ensuring this facility’s success.”