Porsche Factory Tour Info
06-11-2005, 11:32 AM
#1
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Thread Starter
Porsche Factory Tour Info
Just got in from Munich last night. Couldn't sleep in so thought I'd post on my recent Porsche factory tour. In a word awesome. I have so much more respect for the marque now. I know there have been other posts on the subject but thought I'd share. Hope it's not a waste of your time.
First (random) Impressions:
Porsche is a small factory that operates on several building levels due to serious space issues. The paint shop is on the third floor. The painted bodies are qued in production on the second floor where they are bar coded and sent in sequence through the production line.
The engine shop is fascinating. One technician hand builds the engines in the production line that moves, if I remember correctly, at 1 meter per minute. I was amazed at how close we got. Could have literally picked up hardware and handed it to the technician. Our guide indicated that at one time the engines were hand signed by the tech. The practice was discontinued after people discovered that engines built by "Franz Mueller" fictious name I belive, were the consistently hot performers.
All engines are run up and dynoed at the factory on test stands. They must meet strict performance standards within tolerance of just a few percent of specification. I asked if it was possible to get a dyno sheet on your car. The answer was of course, no. They didn't want folks bickering over a few hp. They also randomly road test vehicles as a quality check, which would account for mileage at delivery variances.
Porsche factory workers are well paid, averaging, according to our guide, $60 - $70 Euro per year, or about $75- $90K US depending on the value of the Euro. They also receive bonuses on top of that that equated to several thousand Euro per employee last year.
The biggest bottle neck in production is in the paint shop. They operate on three shifts, unlike the assembly line that operates on two shifts.
Robotic delivery trams constantly run around the production line delivering as needed parts. We continually had to move out of the way to allow their unhindered operation.
Porsche management employs many psychological tools to motivate employees. Monitors visible to workers on the line display info on whats for lunch for example. They also found measureable production improvements when they rotated the body to a front forward vice rear forward configuration after the car descends to the first floor production line.
Workers are organized in Japanese Kaizen type work units. The Toyota influence perhaps. They are able to stop the line if a problem arises and are well rewarded for any inputs that positively affect production.
Take your wife on the tour. Mine cares absoultely nothing about cars but was intrigued by the process, actually getting into to it by asking questions along the way. She also helped me decide on color. I was torn between black, red, or midnight blue. She says black now. I won't argue. Now she's part of it.
There is a large Porsche factory dealership across the street from the factory. Nice to walk through and visit after the tour.
The Museum was also fascinating. It is quite small, with only about 15 to 20 vehicles on display. They ranged from the No. 1 Type 356 roadster to a new Carrera GT. A new museum will begin construction shortly in the parking lot across from the dealership and should open in 2006. It will allow for a much more extensive display.
In all a great experience. The Factory is easily accessible from the main train station on the "S" Bahn", Line 2. Only costs $2.15 Euro and takes about ten minutes. Drops you off at the fourth stop (Neuwirtshaus) right at the Porscheplatz. When you get of the train you are looking directly at the factory. can't miss it.
To arrange a Factory tour you can call +49 711 911-25384. You won't regret it.
Sorry for the long post. Hopefully it will be of interest to some.
First (random) Impressions:
Porsche is a small factory that operates on several building levels due to serious space issues. The paint shop is on the third floor. The painted bodies are qued in production on the second floor where they are bar coded and sent in sequence through the production line.
The engine shop is fascinating. One technician hand builds the engines in the production line that moves, if I remember correctly, at 1 meter per minute. I was amazed at how close we got. Could have literally picked up hardware and handed it to the technician. Our guide indicated that at one time the engines were hand signed by the tech. The practice was discontinued after people discovered that engines built by "Franz Mueller" fictious name I belive, were the consistently hot performers.
All engines are run up and dynoed at the factory on test stands. They must meet strict performance standards within tolerance of just a few percent of specification. I asked if it was possible to get a dyno sheet on your car. The answer was of course, no. They didn't want folks bickering over a few hp. They also randomly road test vehicles as a quality check, which would account for mileage at delivery variances.
Porsche factory workers are well paid, averaging, according to our guide, $60 - $70 Euro per year, or about $75- $90K US depending on the value of the Euro. They also receive bonuses on top of that that equated to several thousand Euro per employee last year.
The biggest bottle neck in production is in the paint shop. They operate on three shifts, unlike the assembly line that operates on two shifts.
Robotic delivery trams constantly run around the production line delivering as needed parts. We continually had to move out of the way to allow their unhindered operation.
Porsche management employs many psychological tools to motivate employees. Monitors visible to workers on the line display info on whats for lunch for example. They also found measureable production improvements when they rotated the body to a front forward vice rear forward configuration after the car descends to the first floor production line.
Workers are organized in Japanese Kaizen type work units. The Toyota influence perhaps. They are able to stop the line if a problem arises and are well rewarded for any inputs that positively affect production.
Take your wife on the tour. Mine cares absoultely nothing about cars but was intrigued by the process, actually getting into to it by asking questions along the way. She also helped me decide on color. I was torn between black, red, or midnight blue. She says black now. I won't argue. Now she's part of it.
There is a large Porsche factory dealership across the street from the factory. Nice to walk through and visit after the tour.
The Museum was also fascinating. It is quite small, with only about 15 to 20 vehicles on display. They ranged from the No. 1 Type 356 roadster to a new Carrera GT. A new museum will begin construction shortly in the parking lot across from the dealership and should open in 2006. It will allow for a much more extensive display.
In all a great experience. The Factory is easily accessible from the main train station on the "S" Bahn", Line 2. Only costs $2.15 Euro and takes about ten minutes. Drops you off at the fourth stop (Neuwirtshaus) right at the Porscheplatz. When you get of the train you are looking directly at the factory. can't miss it.
To arrange a Factory tour you can call +49 711 911-25384. You won't regret it.
Sorry for the long post. Hopefully it will be of interest to some.
06-11-2005, 11:54 AM
#4
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Thanks for the review!
I will be doing the factory tour this coming Friday as part of a "PCA Porsche Treffen tour" which looks to be interesting. Also included will be:
A special luncheon has been up for us in the G‰stekasino on the top floor of PORSCHE Zuffenhausen
As well we will visit the exclusive PORSCHE Special Orderî Department
and then after lunch, we will depart for nearby Weissach for "Hot Laps" at the test track.
For $2485 all inclusive that includes 2 days of 997 rental, it seems to be a better deal than factory collection.
I'am excited..
More info here:
http://www.fastlanetravel.com/site/treffen.html
I will be doing the factory tour this coming Friday as part of a "PCA Porsche Treffen tour" which looks to be interesting. Also included will be:
A special luncheon has been up for us in the G‰stekasino on the top floor of PORSCHE Zuffenhausen
As well we will visit the exclusive PORSCHE Special Orderî Department
and then after lunch, we will depart for nearby Weissach for "Hot Laps" at the test track.
For $2485 all inclusive that includes 2 days of 997 rental, it seems to be a better deal than factory collection.
I'am excited..
More info here:
http://www.fastlanetravel.com/site/treffen.html
06-11-2005, 01:10 PM
#5
Banned
Excellent journalistic-like report, KBS. Very informative, well written, an easy read, not long at all, left me wanting more. It put me right there with you wanting to lean over and touch the parts in the bins.
Did you happen to see where they store the finished cars that roll off the assembly line? My understanding is (from MJones I believe) that those cars bound for shipping vessels then get loaded onto rail cars for the trip up to the port loading dock. Did you happen to see any of this at all?
Did you happen to see where they store the finished cars that roll off the assembly line? My understanding is (from MJones I believe) that those cars bound for shipping vessels then get loaded onto rail cars for the trip up to the port loading dock. Did you happen to see any of this at all?
06-11-2005, 01:21 PM
#6
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Porsche Transports Half of its New Vehicles by Rail
http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cf...porsche/1.html
http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cf...porsche/1.html
06-11-2005, 01:26 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
OCBEN,
Yes, as a mattter of fact I did see them lining up the completed cars. Saw several of them actually being driven out the door with shipping protection and parking in a long line ready for delivery. Kind of cool seeing and especially hearing the cars in the alley ways between the buildings. There must have been at least 25 or 30 cars of all colors parked outside just before you enter the engine assembly building. Saw a couple of cars with the new aero kits as well. The rear wing is a little much in my opinion but may grow on me.
Yes, as a mattter of fact I did see them lining up the completed cars. Saw several of them actually being driven out the door with shipping protection and parking in a long line ready for delivery. Kind of cool seeing and especially hearing the cars in the alley ways between the buildings. There must have been at least 25 or 30 cars of all colors parked outside just before you enter the engine assembly building. Saw a couple of cars with the new aero kits as well. The rear wing is a little much in my opinion but may grow on me.
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06-12-2005, 03:48 AM
#11
Advanced
Nice write up KBS.We did the factory tour last year in both Stuttgart and Leipzig. We also got laps in a Carrera GT in Leipzig.
More info here www.autobahn-adventures.com
More info here www.autobahn-adventures.com
06-12-2005, 10:28 AM
#12
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Aussie,
Thanks. You and MJones went all the way. A Carrera GT? I can only imagine. Congrats. I'm just lucky I was able to talk my wife into going as an add on to our Meditteranean cruise. It worked out well though. She now has a better understanding of my addiction.
Thanks. You and MJones went all the way. A Carrera GT? I can only imagine. Congrats. I'm just lucky I was able to talk my wife into going as an add on to our Meditteranean cruise. It worked out well though. She now has a better understanding of my addiction.
06-12-2005, 04:35 PM
#13
Banned
Funny, I just did the tour on Thursday last week. Write up is here: https://rennlist.com/forums/993-forum/208877-ot-just-did-the-porsche-factory-tour.html
For all of you waiting for cars, I just saw them
For all of you waiting for cars, I just saw them
06-13-2005, 11:49 AM
#14
Banned
GRAHAM,
You mention in your write-up that parts are delivered by “robotic carts which roam the factory.” Did you mean to imply that these are autonomous robotic carts that must therefore have position sensing and navigation in order to avoid obstacles and not run into workers who happen to cross their paths as they move around the factory floor?
It seems to me that since every station along the assembly line is a known fixed point and the loading point is another known fixed point that it would be more economical and much simpler to use a track-guided conveyor system with position sensors for making stops at the correct stations. And as such, it would be less a robotic system and more an electronic-controlled conveyor system in use in many modern factories today. Is that what you saw? If so, I’m sure the tour guide hyped it as a robotic system.
By the way, was there a separate tour guide for English speaking tourists, as well as one for German, French? It seems that tourists would be broken up into common language groups with their own guide rather than one guide and several translators.
You mention in your write-up that parts are delivered by “robotic carts which roam the factory.” Did you mean to imply that these are autonomous robotic carts that must therefore have position sensing and navigation in order to avoid obstacles and not run into workers who happen to cross their paths as they move around the factory floor?
It seems to me that since every station along the assembly line is a known fixed point and the loading point is another known fixed point that it would be more economical and much simpler to use a track-guided conveyor system with position sensors for making stops at the correct stations. And as such, it would be less a robotic system and more an electronic-controlled conveyor system in use in many modern factories today. Is that what you saw? If so, I’m sure the tour guide hyped it as a robotic system.
By the way, was there a separate tour guide for English speaking tourists, as well as one for German, French? It seems that tourists would be broken up into common language groups with their own guide rather than one guide and several translators.
