Global automotive transmission manufacturer JATCO Ltd has made a significant impact on the UK automotive industry by opening a new factory in the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP) in Sunderland, creating up to 183 jobs.
The 138,840 square foot facility represents a £48.7 million investment and will produce electrified powertrains for the nearby Nissan plant, starting with the 3-in-1 powertrain, which combines the motor, inverter, and reducer into a smaller, lighter unit.
JATCO, based in Japan and a leader in continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), aims to reach a production capacity of 340,000 units from this new plant. The factory’s establishment is supported by a UK Government grant.
JATCO’s CEO, Tomoyoshi Sato, expressed pride in opening JATCO UK, emphasizing the company’s long-standing partnership with Nissan. Alan Johnson, Nissan’s Senior Vice President, highlighted the factory’s role in enhancing supply chain efficiency as part of their EV36Zero plan, which includes the development of three new all-electric vehicles.
Councillor Michael Mordey of Sunderland City Council praised JATCO’s decision to locate in the city, affirming confidence in the local workforce and the expected community benefits.
JATCO joins a cluster of automotive companies in IAMP, a project aiming to create thousands of jobs and attract investment. GMI, the construction firm that delivered the original facility in 2019, has been re-appointed for the current extension and upgrade.
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