SMYRNA, TENN. (March 23, 2007) – Nissan North America, Inc. today announced the results of its Voluntary Transition Program, which will help increase the efficiency of the automaker's vehicle and powertrain manufacturing operations in Smyrna and Decherd, Tenn.
On Feb. 20, hourly production and maintenance technicians at the two plants were offered the opportunity to separate from the company with a lump sum payment and, for those who qualified, retirement benefits.
Nissan announced today that 681 employees at Smyrna and 94 employees at Decherd decided to take advantage of the program. Retirements accounted for 303 of the combined number.
"This program has resulted in tangible benefits for employees and the company," said Dan Gaudette, senior vice president of North American Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management. "Each person is unique, but several employees have already told us the program will allow them to return to school full-time, to start up businesses they have dreamed about or to start enjoying their retirement. It was the right program at the right time."
The Voluntary Transition Program was designed to balance staffing levels with assembly requirements, taking into account production mix and productivity gains. The program was made available to employees only at Nissan’s Smyrna and Decherd manufacturing plants. Employees at other Nissan operations in Tennessee are unaffected.
The Smyrna plant currently manufactures Nissan Altima and Maxima passenger cars, Nissan Frontier pickup trucks and Nissan Xterra and Pathfinder sport-utility vehicles. The Decherd powertrain facility produces all engines for Nissan and Infiniti vehicles built in the United States.
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and http://www.nissandriven.com/www.infiniti.com.
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