Motorhome production begins again in Germany

Following the temporary shutdown of all motorhome production across Europe, the UK and America, the first steps to restart the industry have taken place in Germany and Poland.

Volkswagen, Dethleffs, Hymer, Bürstner and now Hobby have all begun building again and it is understood several other major German manufacturers are also about to restart, or have just restarted, production.

The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles plants in Hannover, Germany, and in Poland at Poznań and Września have also gradually restarted production at reduced levels. The VW Transporter is made at Hannover and the larger VW Crafter is manufactured at the Września plant.

Both models are used as base vehicles mainly for conversion into campervans, including VW’s own California and Grand California.

Production at VW is scheduled to restart again on 27 April after a shutdown of over five weeks, during which time a 100-point plan was drawn up within the Volkswagen Group designed to enable production to resume while fully taking the protection of workers’ health into account.

“It is a good signal for the economy and the public, if we are able to show a way forward out of the shutdown,” said Bertina Murkovic, Chair of the company’s Works Council.

Josef Baumert, Board of Management Member for Production and Logistics at VWCV, add-ed: “Protecting our employees’ health has absolute priority in this process. We have developed a comprehensive package of measures for this and are already working intensively in small teams on preparing the plants, in order, for example, to be able to maintain appropriate distances, to implement higher hygiene standards and, where necessary, to provide protective equipment. We are also continuing to watch the situation very closely.”

Meanwhile, following a four-week shutdown, the Hobby factory in northern Germany has also begun to gradually resume production. Operations have recommenced in certain areas in compliance with strict hygiene regulations.

The company used the time during the production shutdown to introduce strict safety precautions that will provide staff with protection, including being equipped with face masks, safety goggles and disinfectants in every production hall.

Production schedules and processes have been reorganised to enable social distancing measures to be observed, as far as possible.

“Face masks must be worn in washrooms and corridors, for example, when using the time and attendance clocking system, and when working in confined areas in particular. The rules are displayed in prominent locations throughout the company and we will be very vigilant in ensuring that every member of staff complies with the guidelines. We’ve coordinated the measures we’re taking with the local health authorities, and the national occupational safety authorities have already paid a visit to our factory,” says Christian Pahl, who is responsible for the occupational safety department.

Hobby’s own sewing department has made the face masks for the company’s almost 1,200 members of staff itself. Each staff member will be provided with five hygienically packed masks before starting work. The masks have been made in accordance with expert guidelines and can be washed at 60 degrees.