Porsche Leipzig plant awarded Factory of the Year

The Porsche production plant in Leipzig has been awarded the Factory of the Year by the consultancy firm Kearney, in collaboration with Süddeutscher Verlag Veranstaltungen and the magazine Produktion.

The sports car brand manufacturing facility has surpassed nearly 100 other factories worldwide. Last autumn, the jury panels visited this Leipzig plant.

Porsche utilizes the Smart Factory approach for a smart and connected plant. All processes are smart, efficient, and eco-friendly. For instance, the car ‘marriage’ process in the plant is intricate yet organized. The ‘marriage’ process involves the assembly of the chassis with the body of the car.

In Leipzig, this process can encompass three different powertrains – combustion engine, hybrid, or electric – in the same assembly line. Cameras are used for monitoring alongside automated measurement systems for checking screw threads.

In the painting section, whereas it was previously inspected by several individuals in a team, it now employs the Automatic Error Detection (AFE) process.

In just 70 seconds, two robots scan the entire outer surface of the car using light strips. Over 100,000 photos enable these robots to detect even minor errors.

Another aspect contributing to the Leipzig Porsche plant’s victory is sustainability and commitment to the local community. The Zero Impact Factory vision balances the economy, biodiversity, and air quality.

Since 2017, this plant has solely used electricity from renewable sources. It has been carbon-neutral since 2021, with part of the electric power being generated by the plant itself.

Porsche’s social commitment also contributes to education, culture, social issues, sports, and the environment. One strategy involves protecting various animal species in the plant’s vicinity for over 20 years. Species in the surrounding area include Heck cattle, Exmoor ponies, bees, and a variety of plants.

In 2002, the Leipzig plant commenced operations as Porsche’s second production center after Stuttgart. Currently, the Leipzig plant plays a pivotal role in the economy of central Germany, with over 4,600 employees building Macan and Panamera models here.

The Porsche Leipzig plant also houses the Porsche Experience Centre with an FIA-certified track and off-road courses.