Hobby modernises and expands caravan production

Fockbek, February 2018 – The caravan is experiencing a renaissance across Europe at present. In Germany, industry-wide caravan production grew by 7.7 percent in 2017 and achieved the highest value since 2008 as a result. Hobby caravans are in exceptionally high demand. Most notably, this demand is being spurred on by the outstanding value for money of the caravans, all of their high-quality equipment as well as the wide range of models, which is reflected in the variety of the seven different caravan models.

To satisfy the many requirements of customers as quickly as possible and to avoid long waiting times for their dream model, Hobby has converted an existing factory at the company’s site in Fockbek in a planning and construction phase of just 12 weeks so that caravans can be produced there. All of the experience from 50 years of building caravans and all of the insights that have been gained from production in the two existing assembly plants over time went into the design and set-up of the ultra-modern production line. This is not only reflected in the perfect production technology, but also in the more efficient work-flows and improved working conditions for staff. A great deal of importance has been attached to workplace ergonomics in general. 

Teamwork now plays a crucial role in modern caravan production at Hobby. The individual groups consist of six members, who perform a wide range of different jobs and tasks as a team. The activities range from carpentry, chassis assembly and furniture manufacture through to the final assembly. “Each individual employee should be able to do as many things as possible,” says Hobby Production Manager Stefan Lühe regarding the principle that benefits both sides: the employees and the company. That’s because the wide variety of different activities ensures job enlargement on the one hand, and a high degree of flexibility when it comes to staff deployment on the other. The optimised workflows are also reflected in more efficient ways of working and improved logistics within production. This and a higher degree of job satisfaction among employees are key factors in achieving the high quality standards.