10/03/2010
Sales lead to jobs at car parts supplier
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CAR parts supplier Hashimoto has created 70 new jobs as sales improve at its major customer Nissan - although company bosses are still concerned at the prospects of a double dip recession. New figures from the Boldon-based company show that revenues for 2009 came in at £21.5m, which was well down on the record £34.5m it saw in 2008. The dramatic decline in new car sales began in the economic slowdown of late 2008 and were further depressed as the recession began in 2009, leading to 135 jobs cuts. But director Chris Robinson said the success of the scrappage scheme for Nissan models the Micra and the Note and the ongoing success of the Nissan Qashqai has boosted Hashimoto. The company, which has been based in Boldon since 1989, makes exterior plastic trims and radiator grills, with Nissan in Washington and Honda in Swindon accounting for 80% of its output. He said: “Things began to pick up for Nissan last June, although there has been no such improvement at Honda. And Nissan have moved back to a third shift which is a positive sign and we have had to recruit staff to cope with demand. “We have taken on 70 additional staff but these are all temporary, agency staff and their have been no permanent recruits. At this stage we are still concerned about a possible double-dip recession.” Mr Robinson said the end of the scrappage scheme at the end of the month was one concern as was the looming change in Nissan’s Sunderland manufacturing portfolio. The Micra will cease production in Sunderland and shift to India and a new model the Juke will then come on stream.
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