Porsche 2006 Annual Report Download - page 99

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Construction work is progressing to schedule and the
extension of the factory should be completed by the
end of 2008. Construction in Leipzig is taking place
alongside normal factory operations with no negative
impacts. The supporting steel construction and roof
work were completed in the review year and concrete
was laid on the floor sections. At the end of summer
2007, the façade was put in place and the assembly
of technical installations was completed. Essential
construction work will be completed by the end of
2007 so that the production facilities can be installed
in 2008 as planned. When production of the Gran
Turismo has reached its peak in 2009, a total of
more than 50,000 vehicles from the Cayenne and
Panamera series will be produced by the assembly
line in the Leipzig factory each year.
The Porsche Production department was involved
in vehicle development at an early stage to ensure
that the prototypes and pilot series are deployed to
test all possibilities using both current and new
manufacturing concepts. All components are thus
produced at close-to-production conditions, even
during this very early stage. This approach is parti-
cularly important for the development of a brand
new model series such as the Panamera or the new
hybrid technology. It reduces cost per vehicle and
makes it possible to guarantee the highest quality
from the very first series-produced vehicle.
The most important event at the Leipzig plant in
the 2006/07 fiscal year, however, was the start of
production of the new generation Cayenne. The
re-designed vehicle with new engine, new chassis
and modified exterior and interior presented
considerable challenges with respect to series
production planning and organization.
After production began in December 2006 the
start-up process proceeded to schedule. All Porsche
quality targets were achieved thanks to precise
planning in the pilot series and during the product
launch. Other operating targets such as manufac-
turing time, ramp-up time and investments were
likewise fully met. Porsche Improvement Process
workshops prepared employees for optimum im-
plementation of manufacturing procedures for the
new model from the very outset and for meeting
the quality targets.
An annual appraisal to systematically analyze HR
training to date and discuss future training require-
ments was conducted for all employees in Leipzig.
This was part of the so-called s.p.e.e.d. process,
which includes a two-year program entitled ‘MAX
s.p.e.e.d.’ for preparing young employees for future
managerial roles. Participants complete twelve
modules on subjects such as management, team
work, social skills and basic knowledge of business
administration and labor legislation.
In the 2006/07 fiscal year, an evaluation of work-
place ergonomics was integrated in the Porsche
Improvement Process for the first time. All work
stations were ergonomically assessed. The findings
of this evaluation served as a basis for deriving objec-
tives for the current fiscal year. In addition, an internal
data system was set up to identify future areas for
improvement.
The preparations for manufacture of the fourth
Porsche model series, the Gran Turismo Panamera,
are not the only challenge facing the Production
department. The optimization and networking of
all processes – from the receipt of an order to the
delivery of the vehicle and subsequent after sales
activities – are the key to high productivity and
top-quality customer service. In future, the work of
the Production department will thus play an ever-
growing role in the success of the company.
The Leipzig plant brilliantly mastered the production changeover from the first
to the second generation of the Cayenne.