Nissan North America Management Changes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. Dec 15, 2016 Nissan today announced leadership changes within its North American manufacturing operations.

Randy Knight, currently vice president, Manufacturing, Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant, will retire on April 1, 2017 after 33 years of service to Nissan. Under his leadership, the Smyrna Manufacturing operation achieved significant quality and performance improvements, and became the highest-volume vehicle production facility in North America.

"Randy has been an effective and well-respected leader in Smyrna since assuming his current post in 2013," said José Muñoz, chief performance officer, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and chairman, Nissan North America. "I would like to thank Randy for his dedicated service and leadership and wish him well in the future."

Knight joined Nissan in 1983 as a production technician in the Smyrna Paint Plant. He was promoted to area manager in Material Handling in 1990 and later was promoted to management positions in several areas of the plant. Knight was named director and plant manager of the Stamping Plant in 2002, director and plant manager of the Trim and Chassis Plant in 2004, and director of Material Handling and Manufacturing Support in 2013.

On January 1, 2017, Heath Holtz, currently deputy managing director, Manufacturing, Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant, is named vice president, Manufacturing, Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant, replacing Randy Knight. Heath will have responsibility for the operation of Nissan's Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant including safety, quality, operations, productivity and environmental compliance. He will report to John Martin, senior vice president, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management & Purchasing, Nissan North America.

Holtz joined Nissan North America in March 2006 as manager of vehicle operations. Between then and July 2012, he held a number of positions including department manager, Material Handling, and director, North America Logistics. In July 2012, he moved to Japan as deputy general manager, and then to England to take up the role of vice president, Supply Chain Management, Nissan Europe, a year later.