[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 94 (Tuesday, July 19, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
          TENNESSEE NISSAN WORKERS ARE JUDGED CONTINENT'S BEST

                                 ______


                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 19, 1994

  Mr. GORDON. Mr. Speaker, it wasn't the first time, and it won't be 
the last time that the workers making cars and trucks at the Smyrna, 
TN, Nissan plant are recognized as some of the best in the world.
  The latest Harbour and Associates Survey of North American automobile 
manufacturers found that Nissan's production lines in Smyrna rank first 
and second in efficiency. Put another way, Nissan Smyrna requires fewer 
hours to build trucks and cars than any other plant in the United 
States, Canada, or Mexico. Its pickup truck line ranks first in trucks, 
producing one vehicle for every 2.32 worker.
  The Smyrna car line, which makes Sentras and Altimas, is the 
continent's most productive carmaker, requiring only 2.32 workers per 
vehicle. The plant, the largest under one roof in the United States, 
also makes the body parts for the Nissan Quest/Mercury Villager 
minivan.
  Nissan managers credit the participative management techniques--
fitting the job to the worker--for the stellar performance. Workers on 
the Nissan lines have a major voice in how the cars are made. This 
allows problems to be worked out quickly and solved together, with 
equipment modified or designed to work as well as possible.
  In addition to having the most productive plant in North America, 
Nissans made in Tennessee consistently rank among the highest in 
quality ratings. As a result, sales are up to record levels. American 
consumers are giving a rousing vote of confidence to Tennessee's 
workers. In a market that is more competitive than ever, Nissan Smyrna 
is up to the challenge.
  The 6,000 workers at the Smyrna, TN, assembly plant and the thousands 
of others who supply parts and services deserve our high praise for 
doing a great job. They are the most productive auto workers in the 
most productive country of the world.

                          ____________________