German Federal Minister of Labor Olaf Scholz Visits Audi

NECKARSULM – August 29, 2008: Olaf Scholz is visiting Audi’s Neckarsulm facility today. During a tour of the production shop where the Audi R8 sportscar is manufactured, the German Federal Minister of Labor and Social Affairs gained an insight into how the company is already preparing for the challenges posed by demographic change. Dr. Werner Widuckel, Member of the Board of Management of AUDI AG for Human Resources, presented a practical example of how and why the company depends on the experience of older workers.

In 2015, every third Audi employee will be over the age of 50. “We have to take steps today to ensure the employability of our workers,” said Widuckel. “Failing to act now would jeopardize the competitiveness of the company and thus employee job security.”

Widuckel welcomes the discourse between business and the government, in particular on a topic like demographic change, which poses a challenge to all segments of the society.

Said Federal Minister of Labor Scholz: “But what we need is that the employment of older workers becomes commonplace. Not just a few older workers, but a significant number. That is what it will take to alter the situation. Today, those over the age of 45 are Germany’s best-trained workers. Their expertise and experience are indispensable.”

One example of this is the “SilverLine” project in Neckarsulm: As part of the start-up for its exclusive R8 sportscar, AUDI AG for the first time ever deliberately influenced the employee age structure in the production shop. Widuckel explained that the company requires the expertise and competence of experienced employees – the “SilverLiners” – and that longer cycle times and changing activities are particularly attractive to this age group.

Mastering the challenges posed by demographic change is not simply a human resource task, but rather an entrepreneurial one. “We took our first steps to address this issue back in 2005 and launched the “Demography” project. The cooperation of all business areas is essential here,” explained Widuckel. “SilverLine” was the first actual demographics project to be implemented. “We will apply the knowledge gleaned here to other projects within the company,” said Widuckel, hinting at things to come.