Volkswagen do Brasil promoted a grand touring – visit of employees and their relatives – in its car factory in São José dos Pinhais (PR), commemorating 60 years of the company in Brazil, the anniversary of Paraná state unit, who turns 15 in January 18, 2014, and the arrival of new investments and products recently announced by Volkswagen Group.
Over 10 thousand people have seen the high technology and quality of the production process of the factory, besides the attractions prepared for the event, such as the arrival of Santa Claus on sleigh pulled by Amarok and a show with the music band Tchakabum. In addition, an exhibition of brand vehicles and robots dancing the hit “Olha a Onda” caught the attention of visitors. There was also a specific location where children simulated the operation of the production line, checking the process technology in practice.
“We are delighted to celebrate two so special historic dates, the 60th anniversary of Volkswagen do Brasil and 15 years of the São José dos Pinhais factory. I would like to thank and congratulate every employee who, with the support of their families, builds every day this success story”, said the Vice President of Operations at Volkswagen do Brasil, Otto Joos.
New technologies and products
The São José dos Pinhais factory will receive investments of R$ 520 million of the Volkswagen Group for the production of the New Golf. The company will intensify the technological globalization, with the introduction of the new MQB modular strategy in the country, providing more flexibility to the production.
“This was a very special year for the mill of São José dos Pinhais. The announcement of new investment and products confirms the serious and responsible work of our teams. It is a great pride to be able to celebrate with our family and the community these great achievements and the 60th anniversary of Volkswagen do Brasil”, said the plant manager of São José dos Pinhais, Volker Germann.
“Our achievements are a direct result of the motivation and engagement of our employees, for which we thank in this time of celebration. We are sure that we will overcome the challenges of the future with our strong teamwork”, said the Human Resources Manager of the unit, Luciana Partel.
The Volkswagen do Brasil car factory in São Bernardo do Campo (SP) and the engine plant in São Carlos (SP) also received the employees and their families to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Volkswagen do Brasil. In Taubaté, the visit will be held in 2014.
Space ‘Think Blue.’
Besides visiting the production line, the path of the great touring in São José dos Pinhais factory featured attractions like the Space “Think Blue.”. Videos and information boards showed the goal of “Think Blue. Factory.” program of the company, which aims at reduction of 25% in energy and water consumption and waste generation, CO2 and solvents by 2018 of all plants of the Volkswagen Group.
A creation workshop taught children to reuse milk cartons to fabricate a mini Kombi. The space also had an exhibition of the models Fox BlueMotion, New Gol and New Voyage, especially characterized by the concept “Think Blue.”.
With sustainability as the main focus, the great touring of the São José dos Pinhais factory encouraged the sustainable behavior with diverse attractions. At the entrance of the event, were distributed stylized and individual mugs for beverage consumption, avoiding the production of waste.
A Chance to Play
Employees and visitors who attended the event had the opportunity to learn more and contribute to the program “A Chance to Play”, promoted by the World Committee of Workers of Volkswagen, with the support of the company. Young people entering the City String Orchestra and are attended by the “Patronato Santo Antônio”, an institution that is inserted into the program, also participated in cultural performances. The program “A Chance to Play” aims to develop good practice and innovative methodologies to experience the right to play, taking into account the importance of networking to transform best practices in public policy.
Cribs Contest
Another attraction of the event was the revelation of the winning teams of the traditional Cribs Contest, which is in the 7th edition. The contest aims to promote integration between teams and enhance the creativity of each area, revealing talents and skills of employees. In the making of cribs, teams have used materials that would otherwise be discarded, emphasizing recycling and environmental sustainability. Stamping and Frame teams were the big winners at this year Cribs Contest, whose highlights are the originality and diversity of materials used. The work of all participants will be exposed at the factory.
Sewing the Future
The “Costurando o Futuro” (“Sewing the Future”) project, developed by the Volkswagen Foundation in São José dos Pinhais in partnership with the Municipal Government and the Institute of Rational Labour Organization – Idort, attended the event, with the exhibition of pieces made in the workshops. Among the items were handbags, bins for car and accessories made from the reuse of automotive fabrics and used uniforms that would be discarded by Volkswagen and were donated to a new environmentally responsible purpose.
The “Costurando o Futuro” (“Sewing the Future”) was held for three years in São Bernardo do Campo and was expanded to Paraná state with funding resources from the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES). In both locations, more than 35 tons of tissue have already been transformed into new products. Released in São José dos Pinhais, May this year, the project offers 45 women in situations of social vulnerability neighboring factory free workshops focused on technical training in cutting and sewing, and social entrepreneurship to structure their own business.
Christmas Without Hunger
This year, the traditional social campaign “Natal Sem Fome” (“Christmas Without Hunger”), promoted by the Paraná state factory in partnership with the São José dos Pinhais city hall, was linked to great touring. When making the registration for the event, employees contributed with donations of non-perishable food for the campaign. The more than 3 tons of food collected were brought to the event by Santa Claus, in his Amarok.
The donations were delivered to the Municipal Secretariat of Social Assistance of São José dos Pinhais, which will distribute among various institutions served by the municipality, and the Mennonite Association of Social Service (AMAS) of Curitiba.