The key to MAN’s transformation

22 August 2022 saw the beginning of a new era at the main MAN Truck & Bus factory in Munich: the new paint concept for future truck production (known as NLK) was introduced at the start of the shift. It also marked the end of an era. Because the introduction of the NLK means that MAN will no longer be painting its own chassis, the chassis paint shop in Munich’s factory hall F1 will be ceasing operations after 20 years. Or to put in another way, it has already been completely turned off over three production-free weeks.

There was no way around the extensive alterations to the factory because the new paint concept is an essential requirement for the next stage of the NewMAN strategy and the key to the further transformation of the company. The reason for this is that the future of goods vehicles is predominantly electric – and new products such as E-trucks bring with them new demands on production.

During a tour by CEO Alexander Vlaskamp at the beginning of September, production director Michael Kobriger and the Munich team around plant manager Thorsten Campehl had the opportunity to present the New Painting Concept on site. "The New Painting Concept is an important milestone in the realignment of our plant," says Campehl. "The introduction not only brings sustainable flexibility and future viability to production, but is also an important step in the implementation of e-truck production and on the way to a CO₂-neutral factory."

The New Painting Concept not only brings sustainable flexibility and future viability to production, but is an important step in the implementation of e-truck production and on the way to a CO₂-neutral factory.

Thorsten Campehl
Plant Manager of the Munich site

Now it's a matter of further stabilising the production ramp-up, ensuring the usual quality under the new conditions and continuing to supply our customers with a top product.

Michael Kobriger
Executive Board Member for Production and Logistics

Combined production needs more space

In the future, both electric and conventionally powered vehicles will be made on the same lines in Munich. This “combined production” increases the amount of space required for production and logistics, because parts for electric trucks will also be needed alongside those for diesel trucks. For example, one vehicle might be fitted with a 200-litre diesel tank, while the next one on the line will have a high-performance battery. Ripping out the chassis paint shop has provided the necessary extra space for combined production. This ensures that truck production in Munich is now best prepared for future demands.

The NLK sees fully painted chassis and add-on components used directly from suppliers. Previously, components arrived on the production line unpainted before being painted in the Munich chassis paint shop. As well as all the modifications, the new concept has also required changes to processes and staff training. Both of these are either already ongoing or have been started. All these measures have been developed by MAN’s planning, technology and assembly departments.

Michael Kobriger, Board Member for Production and Logistics, praises the implementation: "First of all, I would like to praise the entire team from and around planning, technology, purchasing, quality and assembly for the successful start-up. Now it's a matter of further stabilising the production ramp-up, ensuring the accustomed quality under the new conditions and continuing to supply our customers with a top product."