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