“The Martorell plant has always been at the forefront of technology and productivity” says Markus Haupt, Vice-President for Production and Logistics at SEAT S.A., as he moves along Line 1 where the Small BEV will be rolling out in a few years’ time. Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the factory’s inauguration, “we’re currently in the midst of the biggest transformation in our history, the beginning of the second era - our electrification process” he adds. The company is accelerating the production of electric cars from 2025 onwards in Barcelona for the Volkswagen Group. With the Future: Fast Forward project, the aim is to make Spain a hub for electric mobility in Europe. On the road to the electric future we get to know how three people are living the transformation: the Vice-President and two employees, one who witnessed the plant’s beginnings and another who joined just six years ago.
A benchmark in technology. “I was just 25 when I entered the Martorell plant for the first time” explains Ramón Casas, head of Body Shop on Line 1, who started working as a supervisor at the factory just after its inauguration. “I thought it was a very special place, new, spacious and in line with the technological era we were about to step into” he adds. This essence of innovation is still ongoing today - “Throughout my career I’ve seen how the factory has adapted to the times, keeping ahead of technology, but I’ve never experienced a transformation like this one” he says. In this sense, for Haupt, “this change involves three key aspects - first the product, the electric car; then the process to produce it, and finally our organisation in terms of skills, mindset and culture.”
Opening up opportunities. Aida Pérez, who works in 3D Printing Maintenance at SEAT S.A., studied tooling at the Apprentice School and after four years working in the Press workshop in Martorell, she realised that 3D design and printing were her passion. “I was offered training in this area, which has enabled me to evolve professionally and change my career orientation towards what I really enjoy doing” she says. “Martorell has been the platform for my professional development” she adds. And indeed, technological transformation requires the training of the workforce. “Individual progress and transformation has a positive effect on collective transformation” says Haupt. That’s why Aida feels that “being part of such a big movement is a great responsibility, and at the same time an opportunity that I couldn’t let slip through my fingers.”
An electric future. “Beyond adapting to the automotive market, the transformation towards electrification is essential in order to maintain the innovative spirit of SEAT S.A. and the Martorell plant” Haupt points out. “After 30 years of major milestones, for me the most important achievement will be when I get to see the new electric car line in operation” remarks Ramón Casas. Aida Pérez adds: “You can achieve anything you want if you’re driven and ambitious, and now’s the time to move towards the future.” “An electric, digital, sustainable and people-powered future - the only way we’ll be able to put Spain on electric wheels” concludes Haupt.
Markus Haupt, Vice-President for Production and Logistics
Ramón Casas, head of Body Shop on Line 1
Aida Pérez, 3D Printing Maintenance
SEAT S.A. Communications
Elisabet Anglada
Head of Employee Engagement & Content Activation Communications
M/ +34 689 282 093
elisabet.anglada@seat.es
Rocío Soria
Content Generation
M/ +34 689 28 14 32
rocio.soria@seat.es
Gemma Solà
Content Manager & SM Communications
M/ +34 639 944 087
gemma.sola@seat.es
