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#11 Industry 4.0: Work and production in the electric era
Shaping Mobility – The Volkswagen Podcast – Episode 11
The podcast hosts Verena Geyer and Ralf Blasig talk to experts about the change in the automotive industry. With us on the podcast: Stefan Loth, Chairman of the Board at Volkswagen Saxony, Thymian Bussemer, Head of HR Strategy & Innovation, Sabine Pfeiffer, Sociologist at the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg and Stephanie Lorenz, Deputy Supervisor at the Emden plant.
Please note: this Podcast is only available in German language.
The automotive industry is experiencing an unprecedented rate of change. Electromobility and digitisation are driving the transformation, which is bringing opportunities as well as challenges. There is a special focus on converting production to electric cars. At Volkswagen it was the Zwickau plant that took the lead in 2019, and now electric models such as the ID.3, ID.4 and ID.5 are being produced there. Other locations from China to Emden followed, and this year will see the Chattanooga plant in the USA start producing electric cars.
But how do you build electric cars? How does this impact employees? And where is the journey heading? In a podcast we discuss the transformation of work at Europe’s largest car manufacturer.
Talking with experts, podcast hosts Verena and Ralf learn the following:
- Planning is vital – especially when it comes to vehicle production. Good preparation is as important to new processes as qualified employees are.
- Jobs change – work at Volkswagen is becoming more diverse. Software development and digitisation are in step with traditional industrial labour.
- Change has always been part of working life for most employees. Many are highly motivated about getting involved with electric mobility – because this promises future-proof jobs.
The experts
We have set up the biggest training camp at Volkswagen for e-mobility. Our employees in Zwickau have completed 20,000 days of training in total.
Stefan Loth
Chairman of the Board at Volkswagen Saxony
Dr. Stefan Loth is Chairman of the Board at Volkswagen Saxony. Between 2016 and 2020, as plant manager, he was responsible for Volkswagen’s main plant in Wolfsburg. The mechanical engineer’s earlier career as plant manager at the Volkswagen Group took him to China (Chengdu) and Spain (Martorell).
Everyone is trying to help each other out. No one is being left out. I have to say that I am really impressed.
Stephanie Lorenz
Deputy Supervisor at the Emden plant, on starting production of the all-electric ID.4
Stephanie Lorenz
Stephanie Lorenz works as a deputy supervisor at the Volkswagen plant in Emden. The qualified restaurant manager made a lateral career move and joined Volkswagen in 2010. She is now involved in the production of the all-electric ID.4.
Our research shows that there is always an incredible amount of change. People have always been very flexible, and that is especially true now during the transformation.
Sabine Pfeiffer
Sociologist at the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, on the transformation of the car industry
Sabine Pfeiffer is a professor at the Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg. As a sociologist, she is researching how we will structure work and the economy in the future. Before her academic career she trained as a toolmaker at an automotive supplier. She is leading the study “Work & Qualification in 2030” at Volkswagen.
Over the next ten years we will have a juxtaposition of strengthening, reduction and modification in the workforce. Work at Volkswagen will be much more colourful and interesting in the future.
Thymian Bussemer
Head of HR Strategy & Innovation
Dr. Thymian Bussemer is head of the HR Strategy & Innovation area at Volkswagen. This means he is responsible for the HR strategy of the Volkswagen brand and the Volkswagen Group. Bussemer previously held roles at the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder), on the SPD executive board, and at Deutsche Telekom.
