Audi Toolmaking Neckarsulm: Fit for the future

NECKARSULM – October 30, 2008: AUDI AG is opening a new toolmaking facility at Neckarsulm today for the Toolmaking Division. The company has invested nearly €18 million in the building, new technologies and the establishment of a synchronous production system. As a result, Audi Toolmaking will be able to assume an even stronger position in international competition.

“The current underlying conditions in our industry are creating immense challenges in international competition. At the same time, however, they also offer outstanding opportunities for the future with regard to training, know-how and quality standards. Audi Toolmaking plays a key role in our value-creation chain and in consolidating our technological leadership,” emphasized Frank Dreves, Member of the Board of Management for Production of AUDI AG, on the occasion of the official opening of the new toolmaking facility. Some 120 guests from the worlds of politics, business and the media attended the opening ceremony at the Neckarsulm site. With total investment of €18 million, the project is propelling the Toolmaking Division a step closer to its goal of becoming the world’s best toolmaker. “Audi Toolmaking is a benchmark for many companies and its work is highly regarded throughout the industry,” said guest speaker Dr. Wolfgang Sengebusch, Managing Director of the Precision Tools Association in the Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau (VDMA), a German mechanical and plant engineering association.

The Audi Toolmaking Division was this year once again honored in the renowned Excellence in Production competition, taking first place in the “Internal Toolmaking over 100 Employees” category.

“As a link between product development and series production, Audi Toolmaking is indispensable in taking innovative and ambitious Audi design from the drawing board to the street,” explained Hubert Waltl, Head of the Audi Toolmaking Division. He cited top quality, precision and short processing times as essential factors in its competitive strength. This is precisely why the toolmaking facilities in Neckarsulm were expanded, added Waltl. Full-coverage installation of cranes with capacities of up to 55 tons and the introduction of synchronous production will increase throughput. “As a result, we will be able to satisfy the growing need for large tools even better,” emphasized Reiner Gehrig, Site Coordinator and Segment Head of Toolmaking at Neckarsulm.

The Toolmaking Division has already proven that it can render the most demanding designs manufacturable in top quality. Neckarsulm Works Council Chairman Norbert Rank touched on the expertise of the 400 employees at Neckarsulm Toolmaking: “The new toolmaking facility will strengthen our site and its competencies,” he said. “It is yet another tribute to the unique professional know-how of our workforce: this investment clearly demonstrates the importance we attach to our employees’ vast experience and high level of training,” added Rank.