07/2023

Škoda Mobil<br>July

• Title

• News

  21
  

  The carmaker has been collaborating with Medical Clowns for 21 years.

  Medical Clowns charity already has three Enyaqs

  Škoda Auto handed over another fully electric Enyaq car to the Medical Clowns non-profit organisation during the Zlín Film Festival, the largest showcase of films for children and youth in the country. It will be used to transport professionally trained clowns to healthcare facilities, where they will bring joy to sick children and elderly people. Like the two Enyaq Coupé cars provided last year, this one features a striking colour scheme that was chosen through a children’s art contest. Eight-year-old František Hanko won the contest with his design, which received the most votes from the public. Along with the electric car, the carmaker contributed CZK 1 million to the organisation. The carmaker chose the Zlín festival for this event because of its close cooperation with the festival for more than 20 years. This year, it lent 23 electrified cars to the organisers and prepared a Day with Škoda Auto as part of the accompanying programme.

  
  

  Škoda Auto world

  Helping our Turkish colleagues

  The effects of the February earthquake in Turkey, the biggest in the country since 1950, continue to impact the local population. Škoda Auto, together with the VW Group and other VW Group brands, immediately donated EUR 1 million in emergency aid. They also purchased 75 mobile homes for the families of VW partners’ employees who had lost their homes.

  
  

  Great reputation among employees 

  Financial stability, attractive pay, the range of benefits and ample opportunities for career development. This is what respondents in the independent Randstad Employer Brand Research 2023 survey appreciated about Škoda Auto. According to the survey, the carmaker is the best employer in the automotive sector in the Czech Republic. In addition, the carmaker secured the second position in the Sodexo Employer of the Year 2023 survey and received the title of Best Employer in the Central Bohemia Region, as awarded by the Employers’ Club, which highlighted the long-term support for employees and their families.

  
  

  Green energy for Boleslav

  Four new wind turbines have started operating in the Melč–Moravice wind park in trial operation. Electricity from them will be taken by ŠKO-ENERGO for 20 years and will start flowing directly to Mladá Boleslav plant. In May, the next step towards CO2-neutral production was endorsed at a meeting of representatives of Škoda Auto, ŠKO-ENERGO, Ambient Energy and Micronix Group with the mayors of the Melč and Moravice municipalities. At the meeting, they planted a commemorative linden tree at the wind park.

  Digitisation Award 

  Škoda Auto received an award at the ICM (Innovative Car Manufacturing) conference in Frankfurt am Main. It won the Manufacturing Process Improvement of the Year category and was also nominated in the Digital Transformation of the Year category. Škoda Auto's successful projects, including the digital twin, the Magic Eye predictive maintenance system, securing cable harness production and testing the use of the 5G network in production, contributed to this achievement. The Central Technical Service and InnoTeam in the InnoPOC programme provided support for some of these initiatives.

  
  

  The carmaker won the ICM Award for digitalization in production. From left Miroslav Stejskal, coordinator of the unit PSZ/5 – Predictive Maintenance, and Kiril Ribarov, expert coordinator of innovation management P from the unit GSC – Corporate Strategy & Innovation Management.

  This year marks the 90th anniversary of Škoda’s first success in the 1,000 Miles of Czechoslovakia race. In June, the carmaker participated in the modern version of the race with its 1940 Rapid OHV car.

  Meeting of women in Finance and IT

  On 23 May, under the motto Women and Vision, the first gathering of women from the F area took place at the Church of St. Bonaventure at Na Karmeli. Female speakers from various departments shared their personal development stories with the 75 participants, most of whom were women. The most discussed topic was work–life balance. There were also presentations on career development opportunities at Škoda Auto, having personal meetings, getting to know each other and sharing experiences.

  Celebrating diversity and cooperation

  The Internationals@Škoda employee group, which brings together colleagues from abroad and Czech employees interested in international diversity or meeting people from different cultures, celebrated its first anniversary on 31 May. More than 30 employees participated in the event, which also coincided with the end of European Diversity Month. Theresa Necker, the coordinator of the S/X – Transformation department, along with the members of the organising team, highlighted the benefits of international diversity and the collaboration between employee groups and the S – People and Culture departments.

  The second life of accumulators

  The Škoda X centre has signed a Strategic Cooperation Memorandum with ČEZ ESCO for using traction accumulators from electric cars as electricity storage for fast charging. This partnership was created through the transformation of the Škoda Auto subsidiary, DigiLab, in June and also focuses on developing business opportunities in electromobility and digitisation.

  How they see us 

  Autoexpress.co.uk
  

  Enyaq Coupé 80
  

  Journalists have compared Škoda’s electric SUV with Volkswagen’s ID.5 and rated the Czech car higher. So what impressed them, and where is the car still lagging?

  17 June 2023

  Comfort and refinement

  Plenty of space

  The interior has an exclusive feel 

  Better ergonomics of controls
  

  135 kW charging is slower than in the case of some of its competitors 

  Weaker performance

  News
  

• Acknowledgement

  Acknowledgement
  

  Thank you, Ariane!

  Ariane Kilian will be leaving her post as head of the GK – Communications department at the end of June. Her team would like to thank her for her cooperation and praise her compassionate approach in dealing with challenging tasks.

  Last July, Ariane Kilian assumed the leadership of the Communications department when she succeeded Jens Katemann, who had held the position for five years before moving on to oversee communications for Volkswagen Passenger Cars and the Group’s volume brands. One could say she got on board a moving train as preparations for the change in Škoda’s corporate identity were already at their peak, requiring an intensive communications campaign. Under her leadership, key events took place, including last year’s Explore More and this year’s Let's explore. During these events, the carmaker showcased the advancements made in the company-wide Next Level – Škoda Strategy 2030 and the vision for Škoda’s future electric portfolio. Internally, she launched two MMK conferences where the Board outlined future plans and updates on the company’s transformation to Škoda Auto executives. As part of the transformation process, she was also involved in communicating various key topics related to societal developments, such as the war in Ukraine, withdrawal from the Russian market, supply chain disruptions, energy crisis, diversity and inclusion, corporate sustainability and a new employee training approach.

  With her previous experience in communications at VW Group and a degree in journalism, Ariane quickly became involved in managing all activities of the Communications department. This summer, however, she decided to step down to prioritise the needs of her family and support her children’s education. This decision reflects her sensitive personal approach, which we greatly appreciate.

  We would like to take this opportunity to thank Ariane for her work and collegial attitude in handling often difficult tasks and situations. She deserves special recognition for her understanding and consideration of the needs of the individuals on our team. We are grateful for her inspiring suggestions and experience as a journalist and for always being open in her communication. We also wish her continued success in her professional career and family life. And as one of Ariane’s sons will soon be studying in the Czech Republic, we hope to have the opportunity to see her again soon.

  On behalf of the entire Communications department and the Škoda Mobil editorial team, we express our heartfelt gratitude to Ariane Kilian and wish her much happiness and future success!

• Topic / LKK

  Topic
  

  Friendly to nature and people

  Sustainability: The Laurin & Klement Kampus, which will serve as the new Škoda Auto headquarters, will be friendly not only to the environment but also to its surroundings and the employees who use it.

  Reducing the carbon footprint to zero and having an overall strong focus on sustainability are strategic themes for Škoda Auto. It comes as no surprise that these themes are also reflected in the carmaker’s new headquarters. The Laurin & Klement Kampus, which we introduced in the June 2023 issue of Škoda Mobil, incorporates superior solutions that put the building within reach of achieving DGNB Gold certification, one of the most stringent ratings for office buildings.

  “The main contributor to this goal is the overall design of the building, its technical equipment and the materials used. Recyclable materials, such as aluminium, iron, glass and plastics, are used to the maximum extent,” explains Martin Jelinek from the Austrian architectural studio ATP, which was responsible for designing the Laurin & Klement Kampus. “In terms of DGNB certification, it is important that the building is designed with energy efficiency in mind, as well as the protection of natural resources and the ecosystem, maximum functionality of the usable areas, quality of the indoor environment and urban integration into the surroundings. The economic aspects of the building’s life cycle also come into play,” adds M. Jelinek.

  For employees, the green roof terrace will be a pleasant addition, allowing new types of meetings and work activities outside the building.

  Miroslav Nevlida 

  Laurin & Klement Kampus construction project 

  BAR/1 – Office Space Management

  Clean energy

  From an energy perspective, the supply of renewable energy is extremely important for the Laurin & Klement Kampus. Part of the energy will be generated by its photovoltaic power plant, while the remaining energy needs will be met through ŠKO-ENERGO, similar to the current arrangement at the Mladá Boleslav plant. “The new headquarters is connected to the plant’s heat and electricity supply, and we made a commitment some time ago that our supply will be completely CO2-neutral by 2025. We will ensure this both by purchasing green energy from suppliers and by renovating our heating plant to burn biomass from 2025 onwards,” explains Milan Poddaný, Head of Planning and Project Management at ŠKO-ENERGO.

  It is also important to minimise energy consumption in the building as much as possible. Efficient shading systems, LED lighting equipped with intelligent sensors and, above all, highly efficient air-conditioning will contribute to this objective. It will cool the office space at night, while the air-conditioning systems will achieve an 80% energy recovery efficiency. Roller shutters will effectively protect against sunlight and reduce the cooling load by 30%. It goes without saying that all these systems are equipped with advanced controls to help them operate as efficiently as possible.

  Thoughtful details

  However, achieving certification also requires considering the social sustainability of the campus. Buildings must be friendly to employees and visitors alike, as well as their surroundings. For example, good soundproofing of office spaces is important to mitigate both external and internal disturbances.

  The flexible nature of the interior spaces helps the building to meet these requirements. “Everything, including the floors and ceilings, has been designed so that we can easily make adjustments to the inside layout if needed,” explains Miroslav Nevlida, who is in charge of the construction project of the Laurin & Klement Kampus in the BAR/1 – Office Space Management department.

  It is also important to support various modes of transport, such as providing parking spaces for regular and electric cars, as well as bicycles. The certification also evaluates technical details, such as the façade’s design. The Laurin & Klement Kampus is also designed to be easy to clean and maintain.

  Digital twin

  The entire campus has a detailed digital twin that captures even the smallest changes taking place throughout the project’s development until completion. “This digital twin will make it much simpler for us to manage the entire campus in the future. We will have technical data sheets for all equipment, piping and shut-offs. We know the composition of the walls and floors, so we know, for example, where to drill and where not to drill, thanks to the digital model,” explains M. Nevlida regarding the model’s benefits. The model will also be connected to other systems, facilitating tasks like booking a workstation in the flexible offices or reporting faults. “Thanks to the model, we can carry out predictive maintenance and reduce costs,” adds M. Nevlida.
  

  Info
  

  DGNB certificate

  The modern certification system of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für nachhaltiges Bauen (German Society for Sustainable Construction) has established itself as a global benchmark for well-defined standards in sustainable construction, thus ensuring internationally comparable results. DGNB certificates are awarded at four levels: bronze, silver, gold and platinum. The certificate assesses not only the direct environmental impact of a building in terms of its carbon footprint and energy consumption during construction but also various other aspects. These include technical, economic, functional and social quality, as well as the harmony with the surrounding environment.

  
  

  
  

• New work

  New work
  

  Desk sharing at Škoda Auto

  Doing remote work or sharing a workstation with a colleague? These are the new work concepts that the New Work initiative is focusing on.

  New Work is one of the strategic initiatives undertaken by Škoda Auto in cooperation with the KOVO Trade Union. Its aim is to provide employees with the tools to achieve a better work–life balance, meet their need for flexibility and ultimately support the company’s competitiveness on the labour market. The New Work initiative at Škoda Auto consists of three pillars: desk sharing, remote work and alternative work hours.

  Remote work has been in place at Škoda Auto since 2017, and alternative work hours were introduced at the end of last year. Both topics will be covered in more detail in future issues of Škoda Mobil. Desk sharing, however, is a new concept that underwent a pilot phase last year.

  Desk sharing is primarily a work model designed for teams that can engage in remote work (naturally, not every work task is suitable for remote work). The key change with desk sharing is that employees no longer have assigned desks, chairs or monitors. Instead, they reserve these resources in advance for each day, based on their discretion and the nature and type of work activity.

  The workplace equipment promotes teamwork and offers plenty of space for online meetings. It also provides quiet areas, such as phone booths for uninterrupted calls and online meetings, as well as project or meeting rooms, activation zones and more. In addition, each employee has a personal locker where they can store their belongings and work computer after hours. If there is a need to collaborate on a task with a specific colleague on a particular day, workstations next to each other can be reserved.

  This way of working promotes project management, teamwork and work efficiency.

  Desk sharing promotes a culture of sharing and effective collaboration.

  Own experience

  During the pilot run, nine teams from different areas tried out the new desk-sharing concept. “In the beginning, the employees primarily required their own ‘drawers’; it was symbolic for them to have all the available hardware at hand. In the end, however, we discovered that only a fraction of our colleagues really needed such storage space,” says Petr Filip, a coordinator from EGV/6 – Project Management for Test Cars, Models whose team tried out desk sharing.

  One challenge during the pilot involved workstation bookings. We tried both the method of not booking desks in advance and arranging between colleagues, as well as different forms of booking specific workstations. The pilot showed a higher level of satisfaction with booking workstations in advance, leading to plans for implementing a standard booking system based on these outcomes. It will be implemented in the Laurin & Klement Campus building.

  Is It for everyone?

  The pilot project showed a high level of acceptance for desk sharing. The benefits include a broader range of alternative spaces, such as sofas, acoustic boxes and height-adjustable tables. From Škoda Auto’s perspective, desk sharing has encouraged creativity, flexibility and casual discussions and improved connections among colleagues. However, certain activities require employees to be physically present in the workplace at all times, and employees are in different life stages and mindsets and have different work backgrounds, which poses ongoing risks that need to be addressed.

  Desk sharing

  If you decide to use desk sharing in your department, please refer to the relevant instructions on Škoda Space or contact the competent employees at the SPS – Social Relations and HR Compliance department. In the initial phase, it is important to discuss the general suitability of the plan, particularly regarding the use of remote work, which is a crucial prerequisite for implementing this concept. In the next steps, seek the opinions of BAR – Real Estate Asset and Travel MGMT and FIO – IT Services, which are participating in the desk-sharing project.
  

  Because of the significant impact that desk sharing has on employees’ working conditions, it must be discussed with the KOVO Trade Union at the central level.

  Desk sharing aims to maximise the use of workstations, particularly for remote work performance. While it remains optional on existing premises, it is already planned to be a standard solution in new and newly leased buildings, including the Laurin & Klement Campus.

  
  

• Strategy / Leadership model

  Strategy 
  

  Inspire by example 

  The next big step on the road to “Excellence with Joy”. With a new leadership model, Škoda Auto has established a framework for achieving its goals. 

  In our article Target Culture published last year (see the May 2022 issue of Škoda Mobil), we introduced you to the cultural values, which are crucial for cooperation within Škoda Auto, and where its corporate culture is headed. Thanks to the collaboration and feedback received from thousands of colleagues across different levels and all seven areas of the company, there has been a clear common goal since last year – to approach each other in a thoughtful and caring way, with courage and openness while being smart and pragmatic. 

  Leadership model roles

  Empowering Ally

  Seeds, nurtures, and grows shared assets that bring benefits to all players.

  More empathy, less micromanagement

  Keen Prototyper

  Creates and supports quick, early versions of innovations, with the expectation that later succes will require early failures.

  More courage, less old habits

  Can-do Spirit

  Communicates openly with inner drive to find amazing solutions and connects with others in creating a sustainable future.

  More maker instinct, less rigidity and bureaucracy

  Leadership model

  “In addition to a series of events, interviews and other activities where we continuously focus on our company culture and collaboration, we now have an important tool to help us on our journey after a year of intensive work. This tool is a new leadership model primarily designed for all the leaders within the company,” explains Alena Petráčková, who is responsible for Set of Values – corporate culture in the SE/2 – Competence Development and Management Programmes department.

  Leaders are the pillars

  Leaders are the role models and should be as active as possible in empowering people to put forward ideas. „The new leadership model, in conjunction with the strategy, is absolutely fundamental to our success,“ said Klaus Zellmer, Škoda Auto CEO, at the MMK conference in May. Leaders have the responsibility and the opportunity to foster innovation and to support and speed up the implementation of good ideas and approaches. “It is up to all leaders to create and maintain an environment of open, solution-oriented collaboration over department borders and hierarchies,” K. Zellmer said. 

  Alice Leenen Langerová
  

  Coordinator of ET/B – Technical Regulations

  Someone who sees people for who they truly are and develops their skills in the best way possible.

  Jan Frydrych

  Head of SB – Operational HR Care, Digitisation, HR 4.0

  We need to continually challenge ourselves and our team to push ourselves beyond our everyday experiences.

  Ivan Slimák

  Head of PKD – Transmissions DQ, Head of the Vrchlabí pla

  Work on yourself every day, learn, try and implement new things. It is necessary to learn from failure. To this end, we must not be afraid and should support and praise each other.

  Trust is the key

  At the heart of the leadership model is a trio of roles: Empowering Ally, Keen Prototyper and Can-do Spirit. Each of these roles has a deeper meaning, and leaders should strive to strike a balance between them. In this infographic, we describe what each role means and what it enables leaders and employees to do. Dana Lund, who is responsible for top management care in the SE/2 – Competence Development and Management Programmes department, explains the principles of the leadership model as follows: “The valuable thing about the new leadership model is that, to some extent, everyone can find themselves in it. Our company culture and collaboration are not just influenced by leaders but also collectively created by all of us. Each of us can be an empowering ally to the others, find a greater or lesser part of the keen prototyper in ourselves or identify with the can-do spirit.“

  At the MMK conference in May, more than 200 managers gained a better understanding of the new leadership model and had the opportunity to share their views, best practices and experiences.

  Info
  

  In organisations, with a high level of trust, stress levels are 74% lower, productivity is 50% higher, engagement is 76% higher, willingness to cooperate is 56% higher and fluctuation rates are down 27%.
  

  
  

  
  

• Green Future / Clean up the Czech Republic

  Green Future
  

  Collaboration with environmentalists

  Employees once again supported the Ukliďme Česko challenge

  This year’s Clean Up the Czech Republic event (Ukliďme Česko) garnered significant interest, with nearly 250 volunteers participating, including employees and their families. Maren Gräf, Board Member for People & Culture, stated, “We were very pleased that so many of our colleagues joined this year’s Clean Up the Czech Republic campaign. They have selflessly and voluntarily decided to do their part for environmental protection, thereby further strengthening sustainability in the regions where our plants are located.” The individual clean-ups were carried out in collaboration with local environmental associations, which identified the most suitable sites.
  

  Employees from Mladá Boleslav took part in a clean-up effort in the Kokořínsko–Mácha Region Protected Landscape Area. In addition to collecting litter, they had the opportunity to learn interesting facts about this precious area and received a presentation by environmentalists on how to contribute to environmental protection.

  This year, the volunteers collected 8.5 tonnes of litter, which is the equivalent of 850 car tyres.

  Volunteers from the Kvasiny plant, including trainees, collaborated with the Administration of the Orlické Mountains Protected Landscape Area and the Association of Nature Environmentalists of Prorubka. They went to the Luisa Valley, where they not only collected litter but also installed 12 birdhouses to help various bird species nest, as natural cavities in the wild are decreasing, partly due to the prolonged bark beetle calamity.

  Colleagues from Vrchlabí went to help nature in highly stressed areas around Špindlerův Mlýn. This location was chosen with the Krkonoše National Park management, and the clean-up was scheduled for a later date due to the colder spring weather. 

  Škoda Auto has been a partner of the Let’s Clean Up the Czech Republic challenge since 2015, and its employees have participated in litter collection in the countryside during both the spring and autumn seasons. These efforts are carried out before and after the tourist season. If you missed the spring clean-up, you can still get involved on 16 September, which is World Clean-Up Day.

  
  

• Green Future / India

  Green Future
  

  Biodiversity in India

  On the occasion of the International Day for Biodiversity, Škoda Auto presented various measures and projects aimed at promoting environmental protection in the vicinity of its production sites around the world. The carmaker’s employees play an active role in the implementation of these initiatives. As a signatory to the India Business and Biodiversity Initiative, Škoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd. is committed to undertaking numerous projects in this area. 

  340

  The number of plant and animal species that live on the car factory site in Pune.

  36,500 

  The Green Centre and the Oxygen Park in Aurangabad contain over 36,000 trees.

  500,000

  Half a million mangrove trees will be planted to reforest the degraded land in the Alibag city area.

  For example, at the carmaker’s 500-hectare site in Pune, more than 340 species of plants, trees and animals co-exist. A special garden has been created to provide a haven for butterflies and bees. In addition, the Aurangabad plant features the ‘Oxygen Park’ and the ‘Green Centre’, which consist of 36,500 trees that not only produce oxygen and bind carbon dioxide but also provide nesting sites for native bird species and help to promote biodiversity. In the second phase of the project, an additional 50,000 trees will be planted.

  The Indian manufacturing plants also incorporate photovoltaic panels to contribute to the renewable energy supply. The Pune plant has launched one of the largest rooftop solar power plants in the Indian automotive sector (26.6 million kWh per year). 

  In the Alibag area of Maharashtra, the automotive industry is supporting the reforestation of 100 hectares of degraded forest land by planting more than 500,000 mangrove trees. The trees will contribute to the livelihoods of the local population and contribute to blue carbon sequestration. This process involves the conversion of excess carbon dioxide into carbonaceous substances through photosynthesis, which the plants can deposit into the soil through their roots. In addition, water conservation projects are underway to collect millions of litres of rainwater in drought-affected areas. This initiative supports groundwater replenishment, which benefits residents, farmers and livestock.

• Models / Azubi

  Models
  

  Electric car for digital nomads

  Student car: The students at the SOUs have designed and built the Škoda Roadiaq electric car based on the Enyaq model. They have adapted it to adventurous journeys in life and for work.

  Škoda’s new brand slogan, Let’s Explore, was consistently fulfilled by the students of the Škoda Auto Vocational School (SOUs), affiliated with the Škoda Academy. This ninth student car, called the Roadiaq, is a multifunctional caravan that doubles as a mobile office. It is the first car fully based on the all-electric SUV Enyaq and required a series of modifications. Experts from Production and Logistics, Technical Development, Škoda Design and, for the first time, IT and sustainable materials assisted the students. External collaborators, including from the field of recreational vehicles, also contributed.

  35

  The student car’s height exceeds that of the original Enyaq by 35 centimetres.

  29

  Close to 30 SOUs student were involved in the design and construction of the Roadiaq.

  27

  The car also includes a 27-inch monitor that features a docking station for work and play.

  More spacious thanks to its raised roof

  The entire car has undergone a thorough transformation. The students designed a new raised roof to increase the available space inside the car. They also redesigned the fifth door to allow for connection to a tent. A compact kitchen was installed at the rear, and the left rear door was blinded to provide more privacy in the sleeping area. The Roadiaq’s colour scheme combines white and green, with the authors specifically choosing the new corporate colour, Emerald Green. The car is powered by two electric motors for four-wheel drive and an 82 kWh battery that has a range of up to 495 kilometres in WLTP mode.

  Interior full of sustainable materials

  The car’s interior has been completely revamped behind the front seats to create a space for passengers to work, spend leisure time or set up a place to sleep. In collaboration with external partners Autointerier Šindelář and Dual Borgsten, recycled materials were used for these modifications, including the upholstery. The mobile office for digital nomads is equipped with a permanent internet connection, a large monitor with a laptop docking station, a wireless keyboard, mouse, camera and speaker. Power can be supplied through campground hookups, the car’s 12-volt battery charged from the traction battery and a small auxiliary battery that supplements electricity from the solar panel.

  Info
  

  Internship at Škoda Design 

  During the apprentices’ visit to the ED – Škoda Design department, Chief Designer Oliver Stefani was so impressed by the designs created by second-year student Agáta Fraňková that he promptly offered her an internship in his department. Fraňková expressed her excitement, saying, “I’ll get to know the work of the designers up close, try out various modern design techniques and further enhance my skills.”

• Force Program

  Force Program
  

  High-quality production increases car’s added value

  Easy and high-quality production processes are an important factor for increasing the future added value of Škoda Auto products.

  Focus on bodywork cleanliness 

  “Our vision is to have an easy and high-quality process throughout the car’s entire life cycle, from development and production preparation to construction and customer use. Thanks to clever ideas and innovations in production, we achieve remarkable results and meet our targets,” explains Josef Ditrich, coordinator of the PFS-K/1 – Series planning – Press Shop department, who oversees the F2 – Customer Oriented Quality action area. Among the topics addressed in this action area is bodywork cleanliness within the production flow. Surface quality is assessed at checkpoints, and the assessment must pass without the need for further repairs or additional work on the bodywork. “To address these issues, we organised a workshop involving our colleagues from production and experts from various areas of the company, where we defined 24 topics for improvement. For better orientation, we divided them into three blocks based on their focus on the system, investment and organisational aspects,” says J. Ditrich.

  Finding solutions for the F2 action area topics would not have been possible without the collaboration of a highly functional team and the generation of numerous innovative ideas.

  Josef Ditrich

  Coordinator of PFS-K/1 – Series planning – Press Shop

  System solutions

  An example of a system-related topic is the possibility of introducing a zinc-magnesium-coated material into the production process. This material offers the customer higher corrosion resistance than a conventional galvanised surface. This is particularly beneficial for exterior panel parts, where the risk of damage is greatest, such as corrosion caused by flying rocks. However, using this material requires its surface tension to be modified, which can lead to the adhesion and retention of impurities on the bodywork during pre-treatment baths in the Paint Shop. These impurities must be ground off in the subsequent production flow. “Collaborating as a team and in partnership with the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, we are gradually devising measures to eliminate this phenomenon so that we can take full advantage of the new surface,” adds J. Ditrich.

  Investment project

  One of the investment topics discussed during the workshop focused on a detailed analysis and comparison of the technologies used in paint shops for cleaning unrefined bodywork. In Paint Shop A, a so-called body-washer system has been installed to clean the bodywork by using a combination of partial immersion and spraying. In Paint Shop B, the bodywork is cleaned by total immersion in a cleaning bath. The comparison revealed that the latter solution performed better and will be mandated by the carmaker for all future projects.

  Added value
  

  This phrase refers to the manufacturer’s efforts to perform only activities in the product manufacturing for which the customer is willing to pay. Processes that the carmaker deems necessary but go unnoticed by the customer are considered “wasteful”. This includes, for example, trips to get materials, additional inspections, parts unpacking, the facility’s structural potential etc. KVP workshops serves as the main tool for increasing added value and are also addressed by the productivity teams, which focus on detailed activity breakdowns, workstation layouts, tooling etc. The aim is to optimise processes to enhance the car’s added value while improving ergonomics, quality and more. 

  In the F3 action area, it remains true that added value increases when the car is produced at optimal cost. Our ability to produce it in this way is a competitive advantage and shapes our future by providing us with the funds to further develop our company.

  Roman Vinš

  Coordinator of PSI/2 – IE Car Production MB I

  The average percentage utilisation rate of production facilities was 87.4% in 2018 and currently stands at 91%. Achieving this shift has taken a lot of work, so thanks must go to everyone involved. Škoda Auto is one of the carmakers that can very efficiently manufacture products that are structurally different and incorporate them into their structural conditions. For example, the MBI assembly line produces two different platforms in 57-second cycles on one assembly line, with both conventional and all-electric drive. It can also accommodate derivatives, such as PHEV and CNG, producing 1,360 cars daily in a single hall.

  Situation in assembly plants

  From a value-added perspective, the pre-assembly of the air conditioning tubes at the MB I assembly plant involves the complex assembly of the unit with the tubes, which requires the scanning of a barcode for each bolted joint. This process involves eight installation components in different variations spread over a large area and for which the vehicle identification numbers are scanned to tighten the bolted joints. In addition, the worker in charge of one unit had to walk 72 metres. The workshop team, therefore, focused on completely reorganising the material zone and pre-assembly workstation. It implemented a single pallet loading system that reduced the material zone by about 40% (6 m2) and saved the worker 12 metres of walking.

  The second phase focused on optimising reach distances directly at the pre-assembly workstation. Here, the pre-assembly table was changed into an L-shape table, allowing for a maximum reach of 60 cm during assembly. An important step was to reduce the trips required to scan the identification number by installing a digital panel that displays a QR code, thereby saving an additional 45 m of unnecessary walking.

  
  

• Téma – fotogalerie

  Thanks to LED lights and intelligent sensors, lighting costs are halved.

  L&K Kampus will have its own 100 kWp solar power plant.

  The designers of the new building have placed great emphasis on creating a high-quality work environment for employees.

  Urban integration with the surrounding area is also crucial, allowing for further development of the site.

  The L&K Kampus building is growing before the eyes of the employees. Pictured here in its mid-June 2023 state.

• Azubi – fotogalerie

  Students at the Škoda Auto Vocational School transformed an electric Enyaq into a compact caravan, which they named Roadiaq.

  The interior of the car has also undergone a major makeover, creating a bed for one and space for work.

  It's not just the car's powertrain that is environmentally friendly, but other elements as well. For example, recycled materials were used for the upholstery. 

  The supplementary battery for running the equipment in the car can also be charged by solar panels. 

  Work equipment includes a large monitor with a laptop docking station and a wireless keyboard and mouse. 

  A tent attaches to the tailgate to increase space when camping.

  Twenty-nine students from the apprenticeship school were involved in the design and construction of the car, which was also assisted by experts from the car maker and external companies.

• Soutěž – fotogalerie

  1. místo – Kvasiny, Montáž vozů ML1 – Dovytížení robota na montáž těsnění operací Válečkování dodatkového těsnění.
  

  Cena zaměstnanců – Mladá Boleslav, Montáž baterií PHEV – Optimalizace montáže E-boxu pomocí úpravy programu šroubových spojů a instalací kamerové kontroly.
  

• Personalistika – fotogalerie

  Jako zaměstnanec můžete nyní navštívit jakékoli HR poradenské centrum.

  K personalistovi se v HR poradenském centru dostanete pomocí tiketového systému.

  Součástí nově otevřeného centra v Mladé Boleslavi je i komfortní čekací zóna.

• Jak to chodi – fotogalerie

  Ve spolupráci s útvarem ED, z jehož dílen pocházejí např. trofeje pro Tour de France, vznikl hrubý koncept. Ten byl z pohledu technologických možností 3D tisku odvážný. „Návrh obsahoval tenké výstupky, dosahující desetin milimetru, které nelze vytisknout. Museli jsme vše upravit tak, aby byly stěny dostatečně pevné a držely po odstranění podpůrných konstrukcí během tisku,“ vysvětluje J. Zajíc.

  Horní část trofeje vytiskli na Technické univerzitě v Liberci technologií 3D tisku. „Cílem automobilky bylo vytvořit něco originálního, co by posunulo hranice toho, co lze vyrábět,“ říká J. Zajíc.

  Po odstranění podpěr prošla trofej opískováním a vyleštěním do zrcadlového lesku. Hliníkový podstavec vznikl na frézce v útvaru PSW „Vyfrézovali jsme jeho vnitřek a vytvořili dutinu, kterou jsme zespodu přikryli víkem. Hmotnost trofeje se podařilo snížit na polovinu,“ pokračuje J. Zajíc.

  Posledním krokem bylo lakování kulové části trofeje, které ji chrání před oxidací a zachovává zrcadlový lesk. U podstavce se počítá s rytím motivů pomocí laseru.

  Na jedné straně osmibokého jehlanu, jehož tvar vychází z loga Force Programu, je umístěno logo Škoda, na opačné straně logo soutěže. Zbylých šest stran postupně zaplní jména vítězů. Trofej je koncipována jako  putovní a bude sloužit soutěži dvanáct let.

• Zlepsovatelstvi – fotogalerie

  Předání vozů vylosovaným autorům úspěšných zlepšovacích návrhů v Tombole ZEBRA se uskutečnilo 6. června v Zákaznickém centru v Mladé Boleslavi.

  Vítězům gratuloval například Jiří Drbout, vedoucí PP – Plánování značky…

  … nebo také Jana Sajdlová, hlavní pokladník Odborů KOVO MB.

  Mezi vítězi byl i Jan Klacek, který působí jako mechatronik AP-109 v útvaru PFO-B/1 – Lakovna M18.

  S kolegou Radoslavem Dlugošem vymysleli úspěšný zlepšovací návrh pro proces lakování pátých dveří vozů Enyaq, který automobilce ušetří statisíce korun ročně.
  

  „Hledali jsme různá řešení, jak předejít kolizi mezi robotickou aplikační tryskou a přípravkem, který je namontovaný na karoserií během výroby. Použít laser, který standardně slouží ke zjištění polohy jednotlivých aplikovaných dílů, nám přišlo nejchytřejší a nejlevnější z dostupných řešení,“ vysvětlil J. Klacek.

• Motorsport – fotogalerie

  Začátek června patřil v seriálu mistrovství světa šotolinové Italské rally na Sardinii.

  Z prvního vítězství v závodě kategorie WRC2 se radoval Andreas Mikkelsen s Torsteinem Eriksenem ve voze Fabia RS Rally2 týmu Toksport WRT.

  Na středomořském ostrově tentokrát panovaly nezvyklé podmínky, po deštivém počasí byly tratě hodně bahnité a posádky musely zvládnout i přejezdy hluboké vody.

  Dobře si vedla také polská posádka Kajetan Kajetanowicz / Maciej Szczepaniak, která dojela na třetím místě a vyhrála subkategorii WRC2 Challenger.

  I v závodě pro jezdce nad 50 let, WRC Masters Cup, kraloval vůz Škoda. S modelem Fabia Rally2 evo zvítězili Rakušané Johannes Keferböck a Ilka Minor.

  Obhájce titulu Emil Lindholm se rozhodl závod v Sardinii absolvovat mimo hodnocení šampionát, kam lze započítat jen sedm podniků, a udělal dobře. Kvůli závadě zavěšení totiž nedojel do cíle.

  Pokračoval také český šampionát. Vedení si v Hustopečích upevnil Jan Kopecký se spolujezdcem Janem Hlouškem.

  Pro jeho Agrotec Škoda Rally Team šlo o domácí podnik, v Hustopečích totiž sídlí. 

• Škodováci – fotogalerie

  Pavla kreslí výhradně vozy značky Škoda.

  Současné modely jsou pro ni náročnější díky technickým detailům…

  … u veteránů zase musí dostat do kresby i trochu historie.

  V minulosti kreslila i psy. 

• Green Future – fotogalerie

  Colleagues from Vrchlabí set out to help nature in June in highly stressed areas around Špindlerův Mlýn.

  Volunteers from Mladá Boleslav took part in a clean-up in the Kokořínsko–Mácha Region Protected Landscape Area in April.

  Volunteers from Kvasiny, in collaboration with environmentalists, visited the Luisa Valley in mid-May.

• VZOR – fotogalerie

  Studie VISION 7S představuje sedmimístné elektrické SUV s řadou neotřelých řešení.

  V říjnu vyrazil částečně funkční model vozu nejprve do Anglie, k vidění byl v Londýně u Tower Bridge a následně si ho na vlastní kůži vyzkoušeli novináři v Peterborough.

  Následovala také novinářská prezentace studie ve španělském přímořském letovisku Marbella.

  Kola mají průměr 22" a aerodynamické ráfky jsou téměř zcela uzavřené.

  Studie vozu VISION 7S zaujme jak celkovým vzhledem, tak řadou netradičních detailů.

  Interiéru dominuje velká otočná obrazovka s úhlopříčkou 14,6".

  Při ukázce vozu řada novinářů oceňovala jednoduché mechanické ovládání některých základních funkcí.

  Spíše designérskou libůstkou studie je oválný volant. Že by v běžných řadových vozech nahradil klasické kulaté totiž není příliš pravděpodobné.

  Co by to bylo za vůz ŠKODA bez Simply Clever prvků? V případě vozu VISION 7S jde například o magnetické úchyty na mobilní telefon.

  Studie vozu zdůrazňuje přístup ŠKODA AUTO k udržitelnosti. Podlaha a zavazadlový prostor jsou tak celé vyrobeny z materiálu z recyklovaných pneumatik.

• Výročí – fotogalerie