Editorials & Other Articles

dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts) Fri Sep 7, 2012, 03:17 PM Sep 2012

How Oldsters Beat Youngsters in a BMW Assembly-Line Test

Five years ago, managers at Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW) realized that with Germany’s graying population the average age of their workers would jump from 41 to 46 by 2017. So they decided to make it happen sooner.

In 2007, the luxury automaker set up an experimental assembly line with older employees to see whether they could keep pace. The production line in Dingolfing, 50 miles northeast of BMW’s Munich base, features hoists to spare aging backs, adjustable-height work benches, and wooden floors instead of rubber to help hips swivel during repetitive tasks.

The verdict: Not only could they keep up, the older workers did a better job than younger staffers on another line at the same factory. Today, many of the changes are being implemented at plants across the company.

Like BMW, Germany’s other automakers are grappling with an aging workforce. With the country also facing a shortage of qualified engineers, many in the industry have decided that its best to keep good workers on the job as long as possible by adapting factories to their needs.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-09-06/bmw-never-too-old-assembly-insures-against-lost-engineers

11 replies

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How Oldsters Beat Youngsters in a BMW Assembly-Line Test (Original Post) dipsydoodle Sep 2012 OP

Corporations like our work ethics, too. socialindependocrat Sep 2012 #1

Thanks for posting Sherman A1 Sep 2012 #2

You would think that management would get smarter with time also rock Sep 2012 #3

I'm going to barbecue at the boss's house sunday because I am roguevalley Sep 2012 #4

When I read that you were going to that barbque..I thought.... angstlessk Sep 2012 #6

in the 2 years i have worked there 3 young 20-ish boys have quit or been roguevalley Sep 2012 #7

I'm in that generation also...just go to work, keep your head down and do the job... angstlessk Sep 2012 #8

I taught kids forever and all I want is what you said roguevalley Sep 2012 #9

Younger workers can also benefit from a more ergonomically designed work space. surrealAmerican Sep 2012 #5

Exactly - I really don't think that 'older workers can still work' is the major petronius Sep 2012 #10

Most of the workers I hire are 40+, many pushing 60. I find especially women who have been Blue Meany Sep 2012 #11

socialindependocrat

(1,372 posts)

1. Corporations like our work ethics, too.

Reply to dipsydoodle (Original post)

Fri Sep 7, 2012, 03:28 PM

Sep 2012

After years of experience you would think we have a better
problem solving ability, also.

Sherman A1

(38,958 posts)

2. Thanks for posting

Reply to dipsydoodle (Original post)

Fri Sep 7, 2012, 04:25 PM

Sep 2012

rock

(13,218 posts)

3. You would think that management would get smarter with time also

Reply to dipsydoodle (Original post)

Fri Sep 7, 2012, 05:13 PM

Sep 2012

I'm actually surprised that it appeared they did in this one case.

roguevalley

(40,656 posts)

4. I'm going to barbecue at the boss's house sunday because I am

Reply to rock (Reply #3)

Fri Sep 7, 2012, 09:07 PM

Sep 2012

a great employee. Older workers have decades of work ethic. Sometimes it would suprise bosses how well we work when we do. I am not surprised by this.

angstlessk

(11,862 posts)

6. When I read that you were going to that barbque..I thought....

Reply to roguevalley (Reply #4)

Fri Sep 7, 2012, 11:02 PM

Sep 2012

That's cute...I think you must be proud of what you do to be so appreciated...good on you!

roguevalley

(40,656 posts)

7. in the 2 years i have worked there 3 young 20-ish boys have quit or been

Reply to angstlessk (Reply #6)

Fri Sep 7, 2012, 11:53 PM

Sep 2012

fired for slacking. Cellphones are becoming a menace to employment for some. I was raised by the greatest generation. They expected you to have a good work ethic and my sibs and I do. I appreciate the work ethic and ability of older workers and many don't. Just saying.

angstlessk

(11,862 posts)

8. I'm in that generation also...just go to work, keep your head down and do the job...

Reply to roguevalley (Reply #7)

Sat Sep 8, 2012, 05:12 PM

Sep 2012

simple as that..no office politics..no gossip...just do the job...and I got many promotions and kudos too.

There are young people who have the same work ethic..I know several from where I work..and they have loyalty to the business for which they work..so there is hope!

roguevalley

(40,656 posts)

9. I taught kids forever and all I want is what you said

Reply to angstlessk (Reply #8)

Sat Sep 8, 2012, 11:19 PM

Sep 2012

everyone to be okay. You are what I hope for young kids today.

surrealAmerican

(11,359 posts)

5. Younger workers can also benefit from a more ergonomically designed work space.

Reply to dipsydoodle (Original post)

Fri Sep 7, 2012, 10:05 PM

Sep 2012

You shouldn't wait until you've caused damage to your workers to make these changes.

petronius

(26,602 posts)

10. Exactly - I really don't think that 'older workers can still work' is the major

Reply to surrealAmerican (Reply #5)

Sun Sep 9, 2012, 06:46 PM

Sep 2012

take-home message here, it should be the (fairly obvious, I would have thought) conclusion that safe, efficient, ergonomic, non-mentally-deadening, work-spaces can benefit both employers and workers. And it's just the right thing to do, even if there was no bottom-line benefit...

Blue Meany

(1,947 posts)

11. Most of the workers I hire are 40+, many pushing 60. I find especially women who have been

Reply to dipsydoodle (Original post)

Mon Sep 10, 2012, 09:31 AM

Sep 2012

out of the workplace raising children to have very valuable social and management skills that are not normally found in younger workers and not easily acquired on the job: calmness in the face of crises, effective multi-tasking, creative problem solving and sensible prioritization.

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