Students inspired to develop ergonomic technology by luxury car maker Jaguar
4 November 2013
London Global Classroom students were invited to the Jaguar factory in Castle Bromwich, near Birmingham for a day tour of the luxury car maker's assembly plant.
London Global Classroom students were invited to the Jaguar factory in Castle Bromwich, near Birmingham for a day tour of the luxury car maker’s assembly plant. The group of 25 students from different faculties of the Malaysian campus saw the production line of the latest Jaguar models. They also saw new design prototypes that were under development within the factory.
Students saw the precision and innovation involved in assembling leading luxury cars in the market. They learned about supply chain management and how different parts arrived at the assembly line précised-to-the second, managed by global logistics giant, DHL. The accuracy involved in aero engineering technology, gave students better understanding of how Jaguar managed to improve its design and achieve better fuel efficiency.
The almost fully automated assembly line in Jaguar’s factory reserved only the most specialised and technical job under careful attention of a few trained Jaguar specialist. Millions worth of Japanese robotics filled the factory floor, with Jaguar plant manager explaining how through efficient production line and calculated average costing per vehicle this would actually result in savings and sound investment.
The assembly floor manager explained that robots can operate 24 hours a day, every day of the week with no need for holidays, pensions and medical leave. And with royal warrants from both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, the Global Classroom students saw the F-type and the XJ in the production line and how customization can be catered to. Students from business and entrepreneurial backgrounds gained a fresh look at how they conceptualised product differentiation, manpower and human resource costing.
Tan Jing Peng, a BB (Hons) in International Business student said, “I used to think a car maker is just a car maker, but this trip to Jaguar really opened my eyes and showed me how luxury car manufacturers really take it to the next step. I’m keen to think differently about my final project now and how I can have a wow factor in it like a Jaguar F-type with a V8 engine!”