What are the activities of production employees in the automotive industry?

Production workers are employed in the automotive industry for various tasks. They work on the production of vehicles and vehicle parts. They are entrusted with the assembly of components and operate machines and systems for production.

Estimated reading time: 21 minutes

What are the responsibilities of production employees in the automotive industry?

There are various responsibilities for the production employees. This starts with the preparation of materials. These must be procured, sorted, and made available for the individual processes and machines. This means that the production employees receive the deliveries and transport the materials to where they are used in production.

The production employees monitor the machines used in production. They set them up according to requirements and operate them when necessary. The production employees also assemble various components and parts for the vehicles.

Quality control takes place at the end of production. Here, the production employees ensure that the condition of the parts and components, or the complete vehicles, corresponds to what is required. This ranges from visual inspection to checking functionality.

This is followed by packaging. The dispatch staff prepare the parts and vehicles for shipping or transport. Care must be taken to ensure that no damage occurs.

In the production halls, the production employees are responsible for cleaning the tools, machines, and various work areas. During work, they transport the parts and materials, as well as the finished products, within the halls and work areas. In addition, the production employees also work as warehouse staff in the storage area. This means that they store the parts and materials or retrieve them from the warehouse as required.

What roles do employees in the automotive industry play in the various areas of responsibility?

The roles result from the various tasks that production employees perform within manufacturing and production in the automotive industry.

• This begins with the transport of materials and goods. Here, simple helpers can move the parts directly by hand, or forklift drivers may be entrusted with the transport of large quantities or heavy parts.
• We also encounter the process mechanics. Of particular interest is the process mechanic for plastics and rubber. These materials are widely used in automotive production, and process mechanics specialise in handling the technology for them.
• Metals are of course also used in the manufacture of vehicles. Accordingly, there are also production employees for metalworking who ensure that everything made of metal finds its correct place in the vehicles.
• We are all familiar with the images of the robots and systems that manufacture the vehicles. These machines and systems have to be operated, monitored, programmed, maintained and cleaned. This is also a job for the factory workers.
• The machines and systems are powered by electricity. For this reason, there are also roles for electricians , especially if they have knowledge of PLCs. They control, maintain, and repair the electrical systems used in production and in controlling the production processes.
• There are also production employees who work in order picking and line assembly. They prepare the parts and materials for the production lines and ensure that sufficient supplies are always available.

The working environment in which production employees carry out their work naturally varies. It depends on the company in which they work, the role they take on, and the exact activities this role involves.

In addition, there are various opportunities for further training depending on the area of work. In this way, a career can also be built up in these areas, enabling employees to reach higher positions and take on more demanding tasks.

How do production employees get involved in vehicle assembly?

The automotive industry is busy manufacturing vehicles. A key area of production is the assembly of parts and components using assembly line labour. This is essentially done by hand, using simple tools or machines. Depending on how the assembly is carried out, production employees take on the corresponding tasks involved.

This means that the production employees move the parts, insert them, make connections, operate machines, and ensure that the guidelines are followed. These serve to ensure safety within production and guarantee that the vehicles ultimately fulfil all standards.

If problems occur within production, the production employees are responsible for solving them. This can be done alone, as a team, or in collaboration with management. In day-to-day operations, production employees ensure that the work areas are clean and tidy. Accordingly, they must have various skills. These include dexterity and manual skills. They also need to be able to work in a team and pay attention to detail when working.

What does a job as a production employee in the automotive industry look like?

A job as a production employee in the automotive industry is relatively easy to find. There are relevant portals with job advertisements, the Federal Employment Agency is also helpful, and it is worth submitting unsolicited applications to well-known companies or searching for job advertisements on their websites.

The job itself is associated with a dynamic environment, as the automotive industry moves with the times. This means it is subject to constant developments and changes.

However, this also requires production employees to be able to adapt to changing circumstances. They must also move with the times and adapt to progress. Of course, this also means they have to follow production instructions and manufacture according to specifications, not according to their own tastes or ideas.

Production employees are responsible for their tools and the machines used in their work. These are sometimes considerable material and financial assets. They are also responsible for the vehicles they manufacture, which likewise represent considerable value. This means they must have the necessary sense of responsibility to handle such assets appropriately.

From simple assembly to inspection and testing, production employees will find themselves in a variety of situations. They must not only be able to deal with these situations, but also be able to recognise defects and contribute to identifying and utilising potential for improvement.

Successful employees who make a career in this area are characterised by a good eye for detail. They also have strong communication skills and prove themselves in interpersonal interactions. This is essential for teamwork.

Production employees must also know and comply with health and safety regulations. This means they need both a theoretical understanding and the ability to put it into practice.

How can you find a good production employee for the automotive industry?

No matter which route a future production employee or the company takes to find a job or employee, the chances are good that this will involve a job advertisement. Of course, there is also the word-of-mouth route and the Federal Employment Agency, but in the vast majority of cases, it is the job advert.

When it comes to word of mouth and the Federal Employment Agency, a reliable and honest approach by the company is what counts every day. If you love your job, you will recommend it. Those who follow all the rules will be treated better by the Federal Employment Agency. This means that nothing further can be done specifically to ensure success in finding workers.

What can be used in a targeted manner, however, is the job advert, regardless of whether it is on your own website or a relevant portal. It is the first point of contact with the potential employee. It informs the reader about the vacancy and should motivate them to submit an application.

However, it is also true that the job advert is usually the first contact with the potential employee and that many companies are looking for good employees. This means that the job advert must make an impression that stands out from the crowd and is as strong as possible. It is therefore worth enlisting the help of the relevant portals, which have more than a little experience in this field.

What content is important for a convincing job advert as a production employee in the automotive industry?

Job adverts must combine opposites. They must be short but exciting. They must attract attention without sounding too much like an advert. They have to convey all the important information about the job in an easy-to-understand way.

Whilst this may seem very complicated, there are many templates in the job portal libraries. This means that help can be found here. The templates can then be populated with the specific tasks, expected responsibilities, required skills, and qualifications. The next step is to smooth out the job advertisement in order to customise it and make it more appealing.

The formula for this is simple: the future employee must first find the advert. Then it must provide them with sufficient information and, above all, it must tell them why they should apply to this company. In addition, the advert must comply with legal requirements.

What must a job advert contain?

In terms of implementation, this begins with the fact that an advert for production workers in the automotive industry must be recognisable as such. This means that it must contain the relevant job title and other keywords that apply to a production employee in this sector. This ensures that the job advert appears at the top of a search or at least on the first page of the results.

The information section must include all the main tasks and roles that the candidate will be required to fulfil. The more detailed, the better. This will give them an idea of whether this job or position is right for them. Technical skills and soft skills should also be mentioned. These include, for example, knowledge of Microsoft Office and the ability to work in a team.

This is followed by the part that convinces the candidate to apply to this particular company. A few words about the corporate culture should be included here. Then there are descriptions of the job satisfaction of the core workforce and other things that the company offers, such as free parking or free use of hire bikes.

How can a company convince candidates?

The same area of persuasion also includes information on career development. This enables potential employees to recognise whether career advancement is possible and how it can be achieved.

This is rounded off with training and development programmes. Smaller companies often need employees with more prior experience, while larger companies can offer more in-house training.

It is also important to mention other employee benefits. These include remuneration and additional perks. Of course, this also includes the expected working hours and paid holidays.

With regard to qualifications, it is important to consider which gaps exist in the company and which should be filled. Conversely, there should also be an indication of how an applicant with skill gaps could potentially close them in co-operation with the company.

It is also very important that the job advertisement fulfils the relevant legal requirements. Above all, this means that certain information must not be requested. This includes questions about age, religion, or marital status.

What does an application in parts production look like?

The automotive industry is geared towards manufacturing vehicles. However, the industry is much more than just screwing components together to create a finished product. Parts for the vehicles must be pre-produced, and spare parts must also be manufactured. This is the area of parts production. This means that raw materials and semi-finished products are taken and converted into components. These components are then used for vehicle production or spare parts production.

This means that the automotive industry as a whole is dependent on its suppliers. They manufacture the individual components and assemblies. This includes practically everything, from screws and steering wheels to seats and complete dashboards.

During vehicle production, these components and assemblies are then put together to create the actual end product. There is constant demand, both for OEMs, the manufacture of new vehicles, and for the production of spare parts for the maintenance of vehicles that have long since been delivered and sold.

The individual suppliers thus become complete supply chains, as the suppliers in turn also rely on supplier companies. While the vehicle manufacturer receives engines for production, the engine manufacturer in turn receives components from its own suppliers.

For production employees in the automotive industry, this results in a whole range of companies in which they can work. This starts with final assembly and extends through the entire network of different suppliers and their supply chains.

What do production processes in automotive manufacturing look like?

The manufacturing processes in parts production are similar to those in general manufacturing and machine production. They involve machining, forming, moulding, and welding. This results in a whole range of jobs and possible applications, so that in principle everyone can find their favourite activity.

The vertical range of manufacture differs depending on the manufacturer. This means that, depending on the company, a different proportion of production is covered by suppliers or carried out in-house. Some really only assemble the prefabricated parts, while others manufacture some of the parts themselves.

As already mentioned, there is basically competition here between the production of parts for the manufacture of new vehicles and the production of spare parts. This means that it is not only logistics that plays a role in the supply chain in this area. It is also very important when it comes to supplying the specialised trade and workshops with spare parts. This is why we also talk about spare parts logistics in this context. This is also very important in terms of ensuring that the workshops actually receive all the parts they need in the shortest possible time in order to avoid long delays for important repairs.

In parts manufacturing for the automotive industry, production employees work in different areas and tasks that differ in detail, but the principle remains relatively the same across the entire automotive industry. This means that they need to be skilled craftsmen, but also familiar with technology. The ability to work in a team is also part of the job, and they are also involved in quality assurance.

So while the individual tasks are quite different, they look like this across the board:

• Production employees are responsible for packing and dispatching the finished parts, transporting materials and transporting pallets.
• They carry out inspections and check whether the products fulfil the requirements.
• They operate the machines and systems used to manufacture the parts.
• They assemble the various parts and components.

This means that the tasks in the supply chain hardly differ from those in final production. There are other similarities in terms of the qualifications required. Everyone is welcome, from unskilled labourers to metalworkers, industrial mechanics, or vehicle technicians. If a little work experience is added to this, recruitment is almost guaranteed.

The employers for parts production vary. They range from the supplier companies themselves to temporary employment agencies and contract labour companies. However, the work itself is usually physically demanding. It also requires attentive and accurate work.

What do the production employees in quality inspection do in the automotive industry?

Quality testing in the automotive industry essentially serves two purposes. Firstly, the end product should fulfil the standards and regulations and therefore be safe for the user and meet the expectations of the customer. Secondly, it should ensure efficient production with as few defects as possible.

This means that quality testing serves to ensure the safety of vehicle users, customer satisfaction and, therefore, the success of the company, as well as reducing costs by constantly increasing efficiency.

What quality standards apply in the automotive industry?

Quality control is carried out continuously to ensure consistently high quality and enable constant optimisation. The international IATF 16949 standard applies to the automotive industry. This is a specification of the International Automotive Task Force, which in turn arose from the merger of automobile manufacturers and associations. Its purpose is to standardise and improve the quality of work and products in the automotive industry.

The standard harmonised and standardised the quality requirements. This means that a supplier for vehicle manufacturers must fulfil this standard.

IATF 16949 covers products as well as services within the industry, along with processes and systems. It is based on ISO 9001, with additions to fulfil the specific requirements found in the automotive industry.

How is quality assurance carried out?

For quality assurance, employees monitor the process, the service, and the parts or products at every stage. This makes it possible to recognise at a very early stage whether and where a problem is occurring. This in turn allows timely and selective intervention and adjustments to be made.

The tests that production employees carry out in quality control can essentially be divided into two main areas: non-destructive and destructive testing. In the former, the parts and products are tested in such a way that they can still be used as intended. In the latter, on the other hand, they are so impaired by the test that they can no longer be used as intended.

A frequently used process is optical 3D digitisation and analysis. The parts are optically inspected and analysed for surface defects and other faults using a 3D image.

Automated quality control is often used, especially in view of the quantities produced in parts manufacturing. This covers a large percentage of products and makes it possible to quickly find and correct errors at relatively low cost.

End-of-line testing then takes place before delivery. Here, the production employees involved ensure that the end product is only delivered to the customer if it fulfils all standards and requirements.

Example ABIS - How does an optical inspection in quality control work?

The range of methods for checking the quality of products has developed along with the technology. The example of ABIS is a good illustration of this. This is the Automatic Body Inspection System, i.e. an automatic system for surface inspection.

The aim of this process is to optimally prepare the body shell for painting. The paint surface can only be of good quality if the surface itself is of good quality. ABIS is used to detect and eliminate surface defects before painting.

However, the surface defects are often invisible. Optical sensors must therefore be used here, which are designed to recognise what escapes the human eye.

The system is supplied with an optical measuring system for use. This is used to visualise the sheet metal defects, which can take the form of dents or dings, for example. In addition, there is a software package that is able to recognise these surface defects using the data from the measuring system. There is also an adaptive system that controls the individual functions from measurement and detection to classification and labelling. As the system is capable of learning, it accumulates knowledge over time and can therefore improve its own work. This ensures a consistently high level of quality.

During operation, the system starts by recognising the vehicle type. It takes images of the vehicle. Around 250 images are taken per vehicle. These images are then analysed in order to identify defects. These previously detected images are then analysed in more detail to determine whether a fault is actually present. If such a defect is recognised, it is classified, and the defect location is marked on the body shell. This can then be used to carry out reworking.

Example OPAQ - How do production employees check the quality of free-form parts?

The production of free-form parts is almost always associated with surface defects. However, in order to reduce reworking and achieve a consistent level of quality, it is important to detect these surface defects at an early stage. They can then be eliminated promptly.

OPAQ is used directly at work in the pressing plant. It consists of optical sensors that perform a 3D inspection. This means that the surface is inspected directly during the forming process. The quality is immediately visualised in a transparent manner so that errors can be responded to immediately.

Conclusion

Production workers in the automotive industry have a wide range of different activities. These range from the transport of materials and the loading of machines to their operation and the packaging of products.

Production employees take on various roles, from helpers to mechanics. They are therefore very important for production, which is why companies are always looking for new employees. In order to conduct this search successfully, it is important to use the right search terms, provide the right information, and, above all, give good reasons why the candidate in question should apply to your company.

Good quality is also important in the automotive industry. Therefore, good quality control is also a prerequisite for the success of the company. This control relates to the processes and end products and follows industry standards. It is often automated and frequently utilises optical sensors to continuously ensure that production is carried out with the highest quality and efficiency.