Construction Milestone Reached at JATCO’s £4.9m Sunderland Facility
Work on JATCO’s new £4.9 million UK site at Sunderland’s International Advanced Manufacturing Park has hit a major construction milestone with the completion of a steel signing ceremony.
The transformation of Unit 6 is being delivered by GMI Construction Group and will support the Japanese automotive firm’s plans to begin production of its 3-in-1 electric vehicle (EV) powertrains — a key component in Nissan’s EV36Zero programme at its nearby Sunderland factory. The steel signing event marked the assembly of the building’s steel structure and was attended by representatives from JATCO, Sunderland City Council, and other project partners. The development includes the creation of additional external facilities and extensive interior upgrades to the existing 138,840 sq ft unit to meet the company's advanced manufacturing needs. Once completed, the site is expected to support up to 183 skilled jobs. Simon O'Donnell, plant manager at JATCO, said: “Watching our UK facility come to life is a proud moment for the company. The work being done here is essential to establishing a world-class production base for our electric powertrain technology. We’re thankful for the collaboration with Sunderland City Council and GMI Construction.” Michael Mordey, leader of Sunderland City Council, commented: “This development represents more than just bricks and mortar – it's about creating jobs, driving innovation, and highlighting Sunderland as a hub for advanced manufacturing. JATCO’s investment is a strong endorsement of our region’s capabilities, and it’s fantastic to see visible progress.”