Nord Anglia Education
WRITTEN BY
Nord Anglia
11 November, 2024

BSB visits Mercedes-Benz

BSB visits Mercedes Benz - BSB visits Mercedes Benz

On October 29th, our school’s IGCSE and IB Diploma classes in Economics, Business, and German had the remarkable opportunity to visit the state-of-the-art Heavy-Duty Truck Manufacturing Plant from BFDA Mercedes-Benz Business Unit China. This cutting-edge facility offered students an in-depth look at modern industry and the innovative practices that drive it.

BSB visits Mercedes Benz - BSB visits Mercedes Benz

During the visit, students were given guided tours of the factory, where they observed firsthand the impressive production lines. The facility is a testament to the power of automation and robotics, showcasing how these technologies enhance efficiency and precision in manufacturing. Students learned about the various stages of production, from assembly to quality control, and how each step is carefully designed to optimize performance and safety. They were given a great opportunity to learn how a modern company in a very competitive environment produces cutting-edge trucks here in Beijing.

BSB visits Mercedes Benz - BSB visits Mercedes Benz

The tours also highlighted the importance of supply chain management in modern manufacturing. Students gained insights into how the factory coordinates with global suppliers to ensure timely delivery of components, which is crucial for maintaining efficiency and meeting consumer demands. This real-world application of classroom concepts deepened their understanding of the complexities involved in running a successful manufacturing operation.

For those studying German, interacting with German-speaking staff added a unique dimension to the experience. They observed the factory from a linguistic side by exploring the company with a focus on the company’s internal language policy.

BSB visits Mercedes Benz - BSB visits Mercedes Benz

Overall, the visit to the Beijing Mercedes truck factory provided our students with invaluable insights into modern industry. They returned with a greater appreciation for the intricacies of manufacturing and the innovative practices that define today’s global economy. This experience reinforced the importance of adaptability, sustainability, and continuous learning in the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology!

A big Thank You to Harold, Andre and Ali of BFDA Mercedes-Benz Business Unit China for giving our students this exciting opportunity.

BSB visits Mercedes Benz - BSB visits Mercedes Benz

 

Hear from our Student what they’ve learnt from the trip!

BSB visits Mercedes Benz - BSB visits Mercedes Benz

Jai, Year 10 Economics

Through our excursion to the Mercedes-Benz Factory, we had the opportunity to put theory into practice and make links with the concepts covered in lessons with the real world. Being given a company’s perspective on how to allocate resources allowed us to explore the automobile industry, seeing directly how land, labour, and capital work in tandem to supply goods to consumers in an enterprise.

BSB visits Mercedes Benz - BSB visits Mercedes Benz

Giovanna, Year 11 German

Die Deutsch Klassen 10,11, 12, und 13 wurden durch die modernste Produktionslinie der Mercedes Benz Truck Weltweit geführt. Die Produktionslinie erstreckt sich bis zu zwei Kilometer und enthält verschiedene Stationen wie, der komplet automatisierte Kabinen Rohbau, Rahmen-Bau und die Lackierung, sowie viele weitere.

Sicherheit spielt eine große Rolle in der Produktion, um dies auch durchzusetzen, sind viele Schilderungen und Maskierungen aufgebaut. Eine Produktionslinie erfordert hohe Investitionen und besteht aus dutzenden von Robotern, komplexen Werkzeugen und Computern. Dabei transportieren die manche Roboter Tonnen von verschiedenen Materialen durch die ganze Produktion. Des Weiteren lernten wir bei dem Ausflug über verschiedene wichtige Produktionsmanagementsysteme wie zum Beispiel „Just in Time" und „Just in Sequence“.

Es war eine große Ehre diese Gelegenheit miterleben zu dürfen, zu lernen, wie eine moderne Fabrik von komplexen Produkten funktioniert und persönlich eine der größten Trucks Industrien weltweit besuchen zu dürfen und die ganze Technologie, die dahintersteckt einmal zu sehen. 

The German classes 10, 11, 12, and 13 were guided through the most advanced production line of Mercedes-Benz trucks worldwide. The production line stretches up to two kilometers and includes various stations, such as the fully automated cabin production, frame assembly, and painting, among many others.

Safety plays a crucial role in production; to enforce this, many signs and barriers are set up. A production line requires significant investment and consists of dozens of robots, complex tools, and computers. Some robots transport tons of different materials throughout the production process. Additionally, we learned about various important production management systems during the trip, such as "Just in Time" and "Just in Sequence."

It was a great honor to have this opportunity to learn how a modern factory functions for complex products and to personally visit one of the largest truck industries in the world and see all the technology behind it.

BSB visits Mercedes Benz - BSB visits Mercedes Benz

Aaron, Year 11 Economics

Visiting the truck factory in Beijing, China, taught me the importance of every small component in manufacturing, from screws to bolts, and how each plays a crucial role in the final product's functionality. I observed the organized structure of the factory, where each sector operated efficiently, retrieving parts only as needed to maintain a streamlined production process. Additionally, I was impressed by the rigorous safety tests conducted on each truck, underscoring their commitment to high safety standards and quality assurance in every detail.

The trip not only outlined the intricate details behind truck production but also the vital role these vehicles play in supporting industries and economies. Seeing a facility with the capacity to produce 250 trucks a day, powered by a dedicated workforce of over 3,000 employees, was remarkable. It emphasized the importance of trucks as essential tools for transportation and logistics on a large scale. Each component, from small screws and bolts to major parts, was assembled, demonstrating how precision and organization are crucial in maintaining such high production standards. Observing how each section functioned efficiently and how parts were sourced only as needed showed me the value of streamlined operations and just-in-time inventory (As we learnt in business).

BSB visits Mercedes Benz - BSB visits Mercedes Benz

Gabriella, Year 11 Business Studies

Visiting the Mercedes-Benz Daimler factory was an incredible experience, especially as someone who is passionate about automobiles. Observing the production process firsthand, from the precise assembly lines to the large robotic welding arms, was truly fascinating. I had never been in a large truck production factory before, this was truly a first experience for me. The attention to detail and quality control at each stage emphasized the business’ commitment to excellence. Seeing how different stations work in sync to create each vehicle was eye-opening and highlighted the complexity behind each car’s design and functionality, which I had never imagined before.

Within this visit, I was able to incorporate my knowledge as a design technology student and business student, seeing how this is truly woven into the real world of production. It also deepened my appreciation for automotive engineering and sparked even more interest in the innovation and technology that drive the industry forward.

BSB visits Mercedes Benz - BSB visits Mercedes Benz

Lily, Year 12 Business Management, Econ Club Management Team

The visit to Mercedes Benz factory provided an eye-opening experience because I never had chance to actually look at factory workers working behind the scenes. The guide used a lot of business and economics keywords, which helped me to realize that the knowledge I gain from the subject I chose is not limited to inside the classrooms but rather, it expands beyond the classroom.

BSB visits Mercedes Benz - BSB visits Mercedes Benz

David, Year 12 Economics

During our trip to the Mercedes truck factory, I learnt a lot about the production of the trucks. The size of the factory was fascinating as it was very big and it had a lot of machinery and technology. I learnt about each of the processes and steps which are taken to make the final product which is the truck.

BSB visits Mercedes Benz - BSB visits Mercedes Benz

Franziska, Year 13 German

Am 29. Oktober, waren einige von uns BSB Schülern bei der Mercedes Benz – LWK Fabrik zu Besuch, was eine eindrucksvolle Erfahrung war. Die Fabrikanlage war enorm und beeindruckend, mit modernen und hochwertigen Maschinen in jeder Ecke. Wir erhielten Einblicke in die verschiedene Produktionphasen, von Motoren bis zur Sicherheitskontrolle der LKWs. Die Mitarbeiter haben alle Maschinen und ihre Funktionen im Detail erklärt. Besonders faszinierend war die Präzision der Maschinen, als sie Komponente zusammengefügt haben. Dieser Besuch eröffnete mir ein neues Verständnis für Technik.

On October 29, some of us BSB students visited the Mercedes-Benz truck factory, which was an impressive experience. The facility was enormous and striking, with modern, high-quality machines in every corner. We gained insights into the various production phases, from engines to the safety inspection of the trucks. The staff explained all the machines and their functions in detail. The precision of the machines as they assembled components was particularly fascinating. This visit opened up a new understanding of technology for me.