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Coachwork manufacturing processes and systems we envisioned without being constrained by space and the size of the buildings that may have limited us up until then,” says David.
Graham Vooght, Managing Director, adds:“ I believe that the main advantage of this site lies in the ability to implement efficient and streamlined processes. In addition, it affords us increased flexibility compared to our previous setup across three or four sites, which significantly restricted what we could build and how we could move parts around. Consolidating our operations into this new facility has empowered us to leverage lean manufacturing principles and improve our flexibility in adjusting production volumes for different products. As a result of this strategy, we have been able to maintain operational efficiency and maximize production output.”
But GM Coachwork has not solely focused on expanding and modernizing its production sites. Graham elaborates on how the company is adjusting and evolving in response to
the growing electric vehicle market.“ While it is growing, electric vehicles constitute a relatively small portion of our overall business. The transition to electric vehicles has only necessitated minimal adjustments in terms of engineering modifications, as our conversions have proven to be quite adaptable to this shift. However, a more substantial focus has been on refining staff training, restructuring human resources responsibilities, and addressing safety issues that revolve around the vehicle batteries and their removal. The handling of batteries is an especially crucial safety consideration, as their flammability presents a critical risk. Extinguishing these batteries if they catch fire is challenging, requiring us to move them from the site or workshop premises to a secure environment. All in all, while integrating electric vehicles has influenced operational procedures concerning battery safety, it has not significantly impacted our manufacturing, design, and engineering processes,” he reveals.
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