Audi Toolmaking Division Honored Again

AACHEN/INGOLSTADT – October 28, 2008: In its third appearance in the “Excellence in Production “ competition, the Toolmaking Division of AUDI AG has once again received a renowned award. Voted as “Toolmaker of the Year” in 2004 and 2006, Audi Toolmaking beat 30 other contestants to win first place in the “Internal Toolmaking over 100 Employees” category again this year.

“This award is proof that our division continues to lead the way. In addition to clear strategic alignment, our success is based on efficient processes and above all else the technical competence of our employees,” says Frank Dreves, Member of the Board of Management for Production of AUDI AG. The jury praised Audi Toolmaking’s well-conceived, future-oriented strategy and concrete long-term goals as special strengths. They also highlighted the fact that Audi is already preparing for future demographic development by implementing appropriate personnel development measures on all qualification levels.

“Above all else, this success is a product of our joint efforts,” said Michael Breme, Head of Toolmaking at the Ingolstadt site. “We have highly skilled and very flexible employees at our sites – they are the secret to the Toolmaking Division’s success.”

At present, the division has a workforce of nearly 1,700 employees: approximately 900 in Ingolstadt, 400 in Neckarsulm, 370 in Györ and 25 in Barcelona. The division generated approximately EUR 400 million in revenue in the past fiscal year.

Audi Toolmaking covers the entire metal panel production chain and has established itself as a strategic supplier. The Volkswagen Group designated Audi Toolmaking a Center of Excellence in November 1996. The Toolmaking Division functions like an independent enterprise within AUDI AG. It is success-driven and deadline-oriented.

The award is an initiative from the Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL) at RWTH Aachen, the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology (IPT) and the Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau (VDMA), a German mechanical and plant engineering association. The nine finalists are selected based on a detailed comparison of more than 320 toolmaking and mold manufacturing companies. Eleven expert jurors from the fields of industry, politics and science choose the winner. The Excellence in Production competition was held for the fifth time this year.