A LEADING car parts supplier opens its new £4m plant in the North-East on Monday, bringing 80 jobs to the region.
The Magna Kansei assembly site opens in Washington and the firm is promising it will be one of the most advanced assembly sites of its kind in Europe.
The 54,000 sq ft site, on the Pattinson North industrial estate, will supply Nissan with dashboard modules for its new Micra, due to be launched early next year.
General manager Les Graham said: "Everyone has worked extremely hard to make the business a success.
"The site meets the highest logistical and engineering standards and is proof of the dedication of our staff."
The firm is one of the region's leading firms in the automotive supply industry and already employs about 500 staff at its Sunderland site.
It provides plastic components for customers such as Nissan, BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar and General Motors.
Alan Johnson MP, minister for employment relations, industry and the regions, and Nissan UK managing director John Cushnaghan will together open the plant.
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