Nissan success story ‘a testament to region’

Jul 17 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

THE leading company in the North East says it could not have done it without the help and support of the region.

Nissan UK rose from fourth to head the list of The Journal’s Top 250 companies after a highly successful year which saw sales of the new Qashqai reach double the anticipated levels.

The Japanese company, which qualifies as its UK headquarters are registered in Washington, has taken on an additional 800 staff to boost its workforce to over 5,000 with plans to produce over 450,000 cars this year.

Tony Laydon, Nissan’s product control director, received an award to recognise its status from Journal editor Brian Aitken and Phil Moorhouse, managing director UK rental at Top 250 sponsor Northgate.

Mr Laydon said: “We are delighted. It is nice to have the success of the company recognised.

“As well as the 800 new jobs we have created there are a further 500 jobs in our supply chain. We have very capable local supply businesses who have responded well to our changing needs.

“This is not about Nissan, it’s also about the infrastructure in place to support Nissan and we would like to thank our suppliers.” Mr Laydon also thanked the Port of Tyne, through which it exports its cars, and described Nissan’s success as a testament to “the teamwork of the North East”.

The highest new entrant was Artenius (UK) Ltd, the Wilton manufacturer of polyester resins, which broke into the table at 21. Mark Kenrick, business director at Artenius, said: “We are pleased to have been recognised. This is recognition of the hard work of the staff in testing economic times.”

The highest climber in the list was Aesica Pharmaceuticals which leapt 126 places to 115th.

Dr Stephen Barker, the site director at its Cramlington base, said: “We are delighted. It’s nice to have the hard work of the company recognised.”

There were 106 climbers altogether in the Top 250, 29 new entries and two re-entries to the table, There were 102 fallers and 11 level peggers. This year’s Top 250 employ 288,191 people, 28,037 more than last year’s Top 250 did.