Nissan Sunderland to shed 365 “temps”

After adding 2,000 jobs over the past two years, Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK needs to shed 365 “temps” at its Sunderland factory this summer due to a demand dip. 

In January, Nissan introduced 24-hour operations across the entire site at Sunderland for the first time.

But now, according to the company, market conditions do not require the plant to be at such levels beyond the summer. On this basis, Line 2 will return to a two-shift operation from mid-June.

Nissan has added 2,000 people to its North-East workforce in the past two years taking staff numbers beyond 7,000, to support a £1 billion new model investment programme and deliver record sales in Europe.

This latest decision will reduce the total headcount at Nissan’s Sunderland plant by 365, but the company expects the precise number of people affected could be fewer, due to staff turnover. Leavers will be confined to staff hired on temporary contracts.

The move will reduce the headcount at Sunderland to about 6,700, supporting two-shift operations on Line 2 with 24-hour operations continuing across the rest of the site.

This year, Nissan expects to make 500,000 cars in Sunderland for a third consecutive year, which will be another record for the UK car industry.