Date:31/08/2009
Nissan benchmarking to benefit Northern Ireland companies
Seven NI companies have had the opportunity to view first hand the lean manufacturing system operated by Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Limited during a one-day benchmarking trip to Newcastle.
Ryobi Sam Moulding, Thales, Thompson’s Feeds, Allied Bakeries, Schrader, NACCO and Michelin Ballymena participated in the visit which was organised by the Engineering Training Council for NI for SEMTA (Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies) and by the Workforce Development Forum. Representatives from each of these organisations, Steve Hall, NSA-M Manager, ETC and Graham Whitehurst, Plant Manager, Michelin Ballymena and Chairman of the Forum, respectively, accompanied the group.
All the companies are working towards providing a Level 2 National Vocational Qualification for their shop floor employees using the National Skills Academy model and utilizing ETC Awards to award the NVQ.
Representatives from Nissan welcomed the visitors to the plant, who, after an initial presentation, were given a tour of the manufacturing facility visiting the body shop as well as the Trim and Chassis production lines to see the Nissan Note, Micra and Qashquai being built.