A MAJOR European survey of manufacturing plants across Europe has found that Renault boasts the biggest number of 'highly productive plants'.

Compiled by the World Markets Research Centre (WMRC) the European Automotive Productivity Index 2002 found that the French manufacturer has six plants placed in Europe's top 15 index.

However, with regards to the productivity of individual plants, Nissan's UK plant came out top followed jointly by Ford's Saarlouis plant in Germany and Toyota's plant in Derby, the UK.

The Nissan plant in Sunderland produces 95 vehicles per employee while the Ford and Toyota plants produce 87 vehicles per employee.

Other European plants in the top 10 include: Fiat's Melfi plant in Italy, which produces 82 vehicles per employee, GM's Eisenach plant in Germany (77 vehicles per employee) and Seat's Spanish Martorell site (64 vehicles).

Renault's most productive site, according to the survey, is at Valladolid in Spain that produces 77 vehicles per employee. Other Renault plants in the top 15 are: Flins in France (73), Maubeuge in France (70), Novo Mesto in Slovenia (69), Douai in France (66) and Palencia in Spain (also 66).

The data, which analyses 43 European manufacturing plants, shows that overall European automotive industry productivity remained stable in 2001.

It found that average European labour productivity reached 58.28 units per employee, which was almost identical to 2000 levels of 58.26 units.

WMRC's head of automotive research James Durance said: 'European plant productivity has been shown to correspond fairly closely to Western European vehicle demand. WMRC estimates that average plant productivity is likely to decline slightly in 2002, before rising more strongly in 2003 and 2004.'

Durance added: 'Reduced profit margins, heightened incentive levels and weakening global markets in the automotive industry are making the hunt for enhanced productivity assume even greater importance.

'Vehicle manufacturers are attempting to rise to the twin challenges of meeting increased demand for higher specification and better quality products, and of driving up plant productivity by simplifying and improving their manufacturing techniques.

'Those plants that are most successful in marrying up these two conflicting challenges will be the European benchmarks of the future,' Durance added.

  • For details of how to order the WMRC European Automotive Productivity Index 2002 and for costings contact +44 (0) 20 7452 5000 or email analysis@wmrc.com