| Nissan North America reached a milestone | | | | plant has been based on a solid reputation for high |
| recently when its powertrain assembly facility | | | | quality work and proven capabilities. As we |
| located in Decherd, Tennessee celebrated its | | | | celebrate a history of achievement, we also look |
| tenth year of production. At the celebration of | | | | forward to what the future will bring as we |
| the decade long existence of the assembly | | | | compete in the global marketplace." |
| facility, Nissan executives, state and local officials | | | | Also present at the celebration is Tennessee |
| and the facilities' employees gathered together. | | | | Governor Phil Bredesen who lauded the efforts of |
| The assembly facility started production on the | | | | the plant workers and the positive impact of the |
| 16th of May in 1997. From its humble beginnings, | | | | facility to the State of Tennessee said: "This plant |
| the factory is now currently being regarded as | | | | not only makes engines, but it is itself an |
| one of the biggest engine plants in all of Nissan's | | | | economic engine in our state's economy. Nissan |
| facilities across the world. Currently, the facility | | | | and its employees in Decherd and throughout the |
| has 1,200 employees who are tasked with | | | | state have been a driving force in the |
| assembling different engines for Nissan and Infiniti | | | | development of Tennessee's automotive sector. I |
| vehicles. The said facility produces 4-, 6-, and | | | | congratulate the entire Decherd team on 10 years |
| 8-cylinder engines. Aside from the engines | | | | of consistent growth." |
| produced for Nissan and Infiniti vehicles built in the | | | | The facility first made it to the headlines when |
| United States, the assembly facility also produces | | | | Nissan announced that they will be putting up an |
| small quantity of truck engines which are then | | | | engine plant in Decherd. The announcement came |
| delivered to a manufacturing facility in Barcelona, | | | | on the 18th of January in 1991. Four years after |
| Spain. | | | | the announcement, construction of the facility |
| In a year, the engine production facility can | | | | started on March 1995. Nissan invested $30 million |
| produce 950,000 engines and 1.1 million crankshaft | | | | for the original plants which occupies an area of |
| forgings. Nissan though is still in the process of | | | | 100,000 square feet. Currently, the facility is |
| expanding this facility as it plans to task the | | | | estimated to be worth $683 million. Throughout |
| facility with producing cylinder block castings by | | | | the ten years since its opening, the plant has been |
| the spring of 2008. Other Nissan parts such as | | | | expended to increase production and it now |
| Nissan engine mounts, suspension assembly and | | | | occupies 1.2 million square foot of land area in |
| the likes are manufactured in other facilities. | | | | Decherd. From its opening until today, it is |
| Bill Krueger, the NNA Senior Vice-President of | | | | reported that more than 3.8 million engines have |
| Manufacturing, Purchasing and Supply Chain | | | | already been produced at the said facility. |
| Management for the Americas, has this to say: | | | | One of the most notable engines produced by the |
| "Throughout its 10-year history, the Decherd Plant | | | | plant is the award-winning 3.5-liter VQ V6 engine. |
| has proven that it's a world-class operation | | | | The said powerplant is the only engine to be |
| capable of producing award-winning products. The | | | | named as one of Ward's "Ten Best Engines" since |
| Decherd team has good reason to be proud of | | | | the list was first introduced. |
| their accomplishments today. The growth of this | | | | |