Inaugeration of the new Fendt apprenticeship workshop in Asbach-Bäumenheim
(ltr) Jochen Gnann (Head of Fendt Plant Asbach-Bäumenheim), Ingrid Bußjäger-Martin (Managing Director Finance & IT Fendt), Martin Paninka (Mayor of Asbach-Bäumenheim), Robin Kurzweg (Director HR Germany & Fendt EME)
The new workshop for training apprentices has been located on the first floor of the parts production facility in Asbach-Bäumenheim for a few weeks now, right where the production of Fendt cabs and bonnets begins. Spanning 550 m², the area features large windows and a welcoming green and wood colour scheme. There is ample space for up to 20 trainees per training year between the modern machines and workstations. Each apprenticeship has its own area with the relevant technical equipment, including lathes, welding booths and switch boxes for mechatronics engineers. Over the last five years, numerous machines have been replaced, including the milling machine and lathe, to better align training with current manufacturing and production requirements at the site. Further new technologies will be continuously integrated into the training programme in the coming years.
Ingrid Bußjäger-Martin (Managing Director of Finance and IT at Fendt)
“At Fendt, apprentices rotate through around 15 different departments, ranging from plastics production and assembly to the quality department. From their second year of training onwards, they spend around 40 per cent of their time actively working in the factory," says Ingrid Bußjäger-Martin, Managing Director of Finance and IT at Fendt, explaining the broad apprenticeship programme. 'Our training workshop for th apprentices is now at the heart of our production here at the site. This means that, from day one, apprentices experience the typical processes, as well as our culture and the Fendt spirit. The training shapes the foundation for their entire future career. The high graduation rate and the fact that most trainees remain loyal to us confirm the effectiveness of our approach."
At the new training workshop, apprentices gain the practical and theoretical knowledge they need for their future careers. Six different apprenticeship programmes are offered at the Asbach-Bäumenheim site.
- Industrial mechanic
- Mechatronics Engineer
- Warehouse logistics specialist
- Process mechanic for coating technology
- Construction mechanic for welding technology
- Metal technology specialist specialising in assembly
Matthias Steib (Apprenticeship manager at Fendt Asbach-Bäumenheim | right) with Anne Felbermeir (HR Manager at Fendt Asbach-Bäumenheim)
'Today's apprenticeship programmes cover everything from traditional metalworking and programming skills to robotics,' explains training manager Matthias Steib. 'Modern manufacturing and assembly processes have greatly reduced the amount of physical strain involved. That's why we're delighted that we usually train at least one young woman in these technical professions each year." The site also offers various exercise and health courses, provides exam preparation support and organises excursions, including exchanges with trainees from other Fendt plants, such as Marktoberdorf.
Impressions from the opening of the Fendt training workshop for apprentices in Asbach-Bäumenheim
About the Fendt site in Asbach-Bäumenheim
Distinctive bonnets and cabs for Fendt machines have been produced at the Fendt plant in Asbach-Bäumenheim since 1976. As part of the Fendt Ahead project, the Marktoberdorf and Asbach-Bäumenheim plants have worked closely together as a plant network since 2012. This means that the bonnets and cabs are produced just-in-time and just-in-sequence to match tractor production on the assembly line in Marktoberdorf, with the finished products being delivered accordingly. Various investment projects have been implemented at the site in recent years, including the introduction of new laser cutting technology and plastics production.
