The Volkswagen plant in Dresden, also known as the "Transparent Factory", began operation in December 2001 as the production site for the VW Phaeton. Here in Dresden, a large proportion of the assembly process for this luxury class saloon is done by hand. Around 800 employees, including the logistics centre, ensure that 6,000 Phaetons are delivered every year, each according to very individual customer requests.
"Handmade" as a production concept
Europe's largest automobile manufacturer is the first maker to implement a production concept which links processes used in traditional industrial car production and work done by hand. Another unique aspect is that the Phaeton purchaser has an opportunity to experience the construction of his new car as it takes place. The luxury vehicle comes to life behind a 27,500 m2 window area on three levels in a 55,000 m2 production area. The completed vehicles are brought to a 40-metre high glass tower, where they await their new owners or wait for delivery to a dealer.
Environmentally friendly logistics
In so far as only prefabricated parts are used to assemble products in the Transparent Factory, there are no emissions such as those which occur during painting processes or compression moulding. Nonetheless, transferring these processes means that all prefabricated parts must be brought in from all directions.
In Dresden, Volkswagen relies on rail for transport of production parts. Two Car-Go trams, each 60 metres in length, travel back and forth between the logistics centre in Dresden-Friedrichstadt and the Transparent Factory in the city centre, ensuring precisely timed delivery. Three truckloads will fit in just one of these cargo trams.
Sustainability as a company objective
A company such as Volkswagen must look beyond production to consider its responsibility to society. Long-term economic success is possible only if social and ecological aspects play a role in company behaviour. In this way, just as the creation of jobs was a significant aspect in deciding to locate in Dresden, it is also important to the company that the Transparent Factory is integrated into the cultural landscape which surrounds it.
Volkswagen has invested several million euro in landscaping for the 50,000 m2 outer area alone. In addition to several tree plantings, sodium-vapour lamps help ensure that insects and plants are not disturbed and indirect lighting attracts as few insects as possible. For some time now, bird protection has been a top priority as well. To prevent birds from colliding against the large glass fronts, since 2004 loudspeaker signals with songbird calls emitted every ten minutes help ensure that birds look for other territory.
Environmental Statement 2007 Plant Dresden (5.0 MB)
