10 Apr 08 Nissan plant set for expansion
The manager of the Nissan plant in Canton said it is unclear if the company will hire additional workers for the production of three new light commercial vehicles beginning in 2010.
Dan Bednarzyk, vice president of manufacturing for Nissan North America, said a groundbreaking for the plant’s expansion will take place in the third quarter of this year, and modifications inside the plant will begin at the same time. These improvements will take about a year to complete.
The plant was chosen by Nissan to manufacture the all-new models of light commercial vehicles (LCV) specifically for the U.S. and Canadian markets. The plant enhancements required to build the LCVs represent a $118 million investment by Nissan in Canton.
“I really think this is a real testimony to the people here in the Canton plant that the company is putting their faith in the plant,” Bednarzyk said.
As the three new LCVs go online at the plant, the company will begin phasing out production the Infiniti QX56 sport utility vehicle as well as the Quest minivan. The Altima sedan, Titan truck and Armada SUC will remain in production in Canton.
The switch in production along with the plant improvements could allow the plant to manufacture the vehicles without hiring additional employees.
There are currently about 3,700 employees at the plant.
Production of all three LCVs should be fully integrated in Canton by 2013.
Although there are three basic models for the new LCV, the variations and specifications requested by individual businesses could mean that dozens of unique LCVs will be built at the Canton plant.
“Some people might want to put a dump truck on the back, or a flat bed. It just depends on the specific vehicles,” Bednarzyk said.
The vehicles would be primarily for business owners such as painters and homebuilders.
“People who use these vehicles, they’ve got to rely on them for their livelihood,” Bednarzyk said.
