Figure 15: X-ray drilling machines.
Intelligent production planning meant that there was the minimum of work in progress. Where buffering capacity was necessary, the work was transported by the AGVs to an enclosed storage area until the following operation was ready to accept it.
Although some of us could have happily spent several more hours furthering our understanding of the subtleties of the manufacturing set-up, our guide was on strict instructions to be in place for the opening ceremony, so we left the factory at that point to follow him to the front of the building where a sound stage had been set up facing a mass of visitors, with marching brass bands in the background.
On the stage, CEO Gerard van Dierendonck addressed the audience, reviewed the recent history of the Geldern site, and acknowledged the efforts of all involved in bringing the project to realisation, particularly a rather weary-looking Rico Schlüter who had pulled the whole lot together.
Figure 16: Gerard van Dierendonck
Figure 17: Rico Schlüter
Figure 18: Invited guests.
There was a ceremonial cutting of the ribbon, and the bands played the National Anthem.
Figure 19: The ribbon cutting ceremony.
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