www . finleystructures . co . uk
News
Complex Nissan project goes through shop floor
As well as the much-publicised
Hitachi Rail Europe contract , we ' re currently working on quite a complex project for Japanese car manufacturer Nissan . In late 2013 , we won a contract to construct what will eventually be Nissan ' s new factory to manufacture its new Infiniti range . It ' s part of Nissan ' s £ 250m investment at Sunderland , which will see the new Infiniti Q30 being made next year . Our part of the project is to construct two buildings , involving a total of more than 1,300 tonnes of steel . The body shop extension is approximately 600 tonnes , and the trim shop extension involves about 730 tonnes , with both being made up of long span girders and trusses . We ' re fabricating 200 intricate steel trusses for the job , with 10 of them going through our shop floor every day , peaking at 16 per day . " Both extensions have to be fixed back to existing buildings ," said Julie Finley .
" It ' s another complex project as we are working in close proximity to a live manufacturing environment but it ' s another challenge our team is relishing and enjoying . " We ' re getting through on average 50 of these trusses every week , while working on a number of other jobs simultaneously , which is further evidence of our growing capabilities and increasing capacity ." Nissan ' s new facilities will cover 25,000 square metres , and will include space for the Q30 ' s body and platform to be assembled , plus an area for trim and chassis , which will include a new engine installation facility . The factory extension is due to be completed in time for the Q30 launch in 2015 , with Infiniti claiming that the expansion and investment will create 1,000 jobs , including 280 new jobs at the Sunderland factory , plus more with its UK supplier base .
Issue 7 , Spring 2014