- After reunification: Opel one of the first manufacturers in the new federal states
- Large anniversary celebration: Open day on September 30 from 10:00 CET
- Behind the scenes: How Opel ADAM and Opel Corsa are built
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September 23, 1992 was a special day in Opel’s history because on
this day the company opened its plant in Eisenach. With former German
Chancellor Helmut Kohl in and the employees in attendance, the first
ever Opel Astra “made in Eisenach” drove off the production line. Today,
the plant located in the direct vicinity of the famous Wartburg is one
of the most modern in the world in terms of environmental
sustainability, manufacturing technology and production systems. And it
is also an integral part of the city and the region. Around 1,800
employees produce the Opel Corsa, the Opel ADAM along with its ADAM
ROCKS and ADAM S sibling here. The carmaker will celebrate the
anniversary with an open day on September 30. Employees with their
families, Opel aficionados and all interested parties from the Eisenach
region are invited to attend.
“The Opel plant in Eisenach has been setting standards ever since its
opening 25 years ago,” said plant manager Pieter Ruts. “We have
developed a new production system and established a sophisticated
logistics system. Then as now, the Eisenach plant stands for team spirit
and top production quality.”
New beginning with Opel
Two years before the first Astra from Eisenach left the plant, Opel
started manufacturing the Vectra in Thuringia, thus becoming the first
West German carmaker to commit itself to the new federal states.
Simultaneously the company laid the foundations for the revitalization
of automotive production in the region by opening the new plant and
investing more than one billion Deutsch Mark. Furthermore, Opel also
created numerous new jobs, also within the supplier industry.
Only eight months after start of production of the Opel Astra, the first
Opel Corsa drove off the production line in 1993. The first Opel Corsa “made in
Eisenach” is also the first ever Opel Corsa “made in Germany”. Previously, it
had only been built in the Spanish plant in Zaragoza. In 2012, the
small car welcomed a brother to its home – the stylish Opel ADAM.
Democratic decision
The two founding fathers behind Opel’s Eisenach plant are Dr. Wolfram
Liedtke and Louis Hughes. Liedtke, managing director of the
Automobilwerk Eisenach (AWE) and former Opel Chairman Hughes battled
significant opposition to make a case for the location. Originally, the
Automotive Combine of the German Democratic Republic had other plans for
the AWE. However, as these plans remain vague for a long time and the
future of the people in Eisenach is thus uncertain, Opel decided to
present a convincing concept. Liedtke then managed to take AWE out of
the combine and Eisenach could forge its own destiny.
The workforce gets behind Liedtke, determined to safeguard the plant
and their own future. A democratic decision follows during a staff
meeting in 1990. Opel Chairman Hughes travels to Eisenach especially and
answers the employee’s questions. In the end, a vast majority votes for
a future with Opel.
Then things happen really fast, always under the motto “Opel banks on
Eisenach”. The company is the first European manufacturer to introduce
completely new manufacturing methods when the new Opel production system
was implemented. It is based on five guided principles: employee
involvement, continuous improvement, quality control from the start,
standardization and short throughput times thanks to smooth logistics.
The Opel plant in Eisenach has also been setting standard in
environmental management for its opening. The consistent use of
water-soluble paints in the modern paint shop along with recycling loops
to re-use production residues in all areas are just two examples of the
sustainable system.
But automotive production is not the only thing Opel is concentrating
on in Thuringia. A training facility for dealership employees was
opened in Eisenach in 2001, where experienced coaches deliver sessions
on technical and commercial topics.
Look behind the scenes
On September 30, visitors will be able get close to the eventful
history of the plant. For example, when founding fathers Liedtke and
Hughes along with Harald Lieske, who was chairman of the works council
for many years, receive a special distinction and will talk about their
experiences. Furthermore, Opel fans will get the chance to look behind
the scenes in production and find out how ADAM and Corsa are built and
test or even buy one of the bestsellers from the company’s current
product portfolio.
In addition to the central stage, numerous clubs, association and
institutions from the region will set up stands. And obviously, there
will be an entertaining program for visitors of all age groups. Doors
will open for the public at 10:00 CET.
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