WHERE would the regional economy be without Nissan? The firm’s Sunderland plant employs more than 6,000 workers and supports up to 30,000 jobs across the region’s supply chain.

It is responsible for nearly one third of the entire value of all goods exported from the North-East. Of the 1.46 million cars produced in the UK last year, 34.8 per cent were manufactured at the Wearside plant, which has become an exemplar of productivity, innovation and excellence.

And Nissan’s role as the region’s biggest private employer looks set to continue after it launched plans to extend the plant’s floorspace by ten per cent.

After smashing production records last year, Nissan Sunderland needs extra capacity to handle current volumes and make new vehicles, such as the latest version of the popular Qashqai, the all-electric Leaf and Infiniti – Nissan’s luxury model.

The expansion plans, which still need council approval, are the latest sign that the Japanese firm values its flagship North-East factory and the skills of local workers.

THIS year is proving to be a good one for some of Darlington’s best known engineering firms.

Earlier this year, Whessoe was saved from collapse by Korean multi-national Samsung. The deal preserved a famous firm whose proud history pre-dates the industrial revolution.

Whessoe designs high-tech industrial storage tanks but its Darlington workshops fell silent nearly 30 years ago.

Engineers Cleveland Bridge and Henry Williams, however, continue to design and manufacture products that supply projects around the world.

With a combined 306 years in business, it’s a surprise that a new deal to build bridges for Sri Lanka is the first time the pair have worked together on a major engineering project.

It’s great to see two local firms supporting one another. Let’s hope this isn’t the last time they join forces and show that Darlington’s engineering expertise is alive and kicking.

THE award for least usable press release of the week goes to the one that started: “The Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle now stands alone as the sole remaining candidate for South Korea’s KRW8.3 trillion FX Phase 3 fighter aircraft procurement.”

It is the silly season, so there is a chance I’ll use it if things get very quiet.

THANKS to my Twitter followers who spotted a typo on Monday. An Irish airline has launched a new route from Newcastle to Dublin.

Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Aer Arann, will run two daily return flights to Ireland’s capital, beginning October 24, and aims to fly up to 65,000 passengers on the route in the first year.

The flights are on sale now with introductory fares available from £29.99 oneway, inclusive of taxes and charges.

I tweeted that the firm was offering new “fights from Newcastle to Dublin”.

I hope this hasn’t set back Anglo-Irish relations. My brain must have been addled by the many Guinness-fuelled stag dos I’ve attended in Dublin over the years.

Slainte.

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