Start-up of the assembly line with Barbara Bergmeier (Plant Director), Frank-Peter Arndt (BMW AG; Board Member - Production) und Christine Haderthauer (Minister of Employment, Bavaria), Employees explain the development of ergonomical workplaces with everything within easy reach, seats, stretching and power exercises.

Original statement by employee Ludwig Lang, axle drive assembly: “The work cycle used to be like this, I can simulate it on this facility, they used to take the rear bearing out of the case…” Split-screen, original statement employee by Ludwig Lang Original statement by employee Ludwig Lang: “And because of having to stretch so far, workers naturally had back problems…” Original statement by employee Ludwig Lang; “So now I’d like to demonstrate what we do on the new facility…” Original statement by employee Ludwig Lang; “I’m sure that here I won’t suffer the physical discomfort I used to have, or at least not to that extent…” Split-screen, mechanism for automatic driver’s door being tested, various shots Various shots of two ergonomical workstations Original statement by employee Josef Kronschnabl, axle drive assembly: “I feel better now that I can either sit while I’m working, or I can stand, and I have a height-adjustable shelf…” Original statement by Josef Kronschnabl: “I can adjust the shelf to my height, I can use each shelf separately…” Original statement by Josef Kronschnabl: “Then I take out the ring, put it down, the material carrier moves towards me…”

“Well, I believe this is the key responsibility that companies will have for the future. And also for their own future benefit, as…”

“Today has seen the official start-up of the production system. This means that during the next weeks and months we will achieve our full quantity.” “Also, in future, around 200 workers will produce in three shifts, and, of course, set up all ‘Today for Tomorrow’ facilities such as our fitness and rest room…” “Yes, some people do think that an aging workforce could have a negative effect on competitiveness. We already thought about this intensively in 2007…” ”This assembly line is not designed for disabled or older workers. It operates highly efficiently. Using this production method we can lower production costs by 20%…”

“We wish to prove here that we do not need age-appropriate production, but production that is suited to ageing. So we need to actively…” “So I think BMW has learned that our original idea was right, and that is to handle it proactively…“ “80% of our 96,000 employees work here in Germany. And the efficiency of our workforce is crucial for the success of our company…”