Up to 400 robots to build VWs at plant

As Volkswagen starts assessing skills of potential production workers, officials Tuesday approved an array of equipment for VW's training center including robotic systems.

Keith Kingston of EBZ Engineering told the city's Industrial Development Board the plant probably will hold between 300 and 400 robots in the production of new vehicles.

"These are mechanical computers," he said.

The panel approved a $1.79 million contract with German company Eisenmann to provide a robotic paint system like that to be used in the main production area, Mr. Kingston said.

Also, the board OK'ed a $507,779 bid by Volkswagen PKW for a robotic trouble-shooting maintenance training area. It will be a completely functional robot training unit, Mr. Kingston said.

"When an operator gets to a certain point in training, now he needs to look at what this looks like in the real world," he said. The training unit will cover everything that could possibly go wrong with plant robots, Mr. Kingston said.

The state is paying for the $40 million training center going up next to the plant as part of its incentives to woo VW to Chattanooga. The training center is slated to be ready in mid-February.

"You've got to have people trained before you start production," Mr. Kingston said. VW plans to start production in early 2011 and have 2,000 workers.

Ted Mills, who oversees the board, said that "they have to have skilled operators."

construction buildup

Meanwhile, some 800 construction and craft workers are at the building site, said Steve Leach, the city's public works administrator. VW officials have said the site will soon hold more than 2,000 workers constructing the $1 billion facility.

Mr. Leach also said a huge, 60-ton electrical transformer will be delivered this week to the site. He said a temporary road had to be built to allow it to be carried in.