Production restructuring

Hymer, a leading motorhome manufacturer based in Bad Waldsee, Germany, had an ambitious plan for restructuring its production. The company wanted to have its four assembly lines and the preassembly equipment disassembled, restructured and then reassembled in the same hall – all during the plant holidays. Hymer commissioned SCHOLPP to undertake the machinery move and handle project management before and during the restructuring. The project involved moving approximately 100 workstations in the Hymer assembly areas, plus the associated crane systems and lifting gear. As with any relocation project, a structured approach to matchmarking components and units was crucial to its success. All eyes were on the tight deadline because the four assembly lines had to be up and running again by the end of the plant holidays. One particular challenge was moving the 17-tonne, 20-metre-long lifting systems. The tight schedule meant there was not enough time to dismantle the seven units for on-site transport and subsequent reassembly, so the SCHOLPP team came up with a creative solution. Using special reinforcements, the lifting systems were raised, taking great care to keep them level, and moved in their entirety without distorting the systems.