Thule - the production

When we visited the production department we were told that their customers, once they place their orders, have to wait up to 25 days to know when they can supply what they need. Thule has to order the raw materials in order to start the production. In the plant we visited 160 pieces of carriers are produced in an hour.

There are 275 employees in Hillerstorp, 50% are employed In the production, 50% in the office. They also do environmental tests on climates around the world together with pollution, corrosion, humidity, inflammability tests. The temperature they use is about -190º till 90º and they use UV radiations onto plastic and rubber. They also cary out tests on the road to verify the resistance of their products, and if the products aren't good to be sold they must start again from the very beginning and when they are up to their quality standards they can be sold.

We think Thule is a company that cares about the satisfaction of its customers, the products they sell are tested several times to guarantee their safety. This is a very important thing because most companies just want to make a profit without thinking of their customers' satisfaction.

Sorry no images as we weren't allowed to take pictures!

written by Daniele, Laura and Diana.

Thule - Our visit

OUR VISIT AT “THULE
On 23rd April 2013 we went to THULE, a big company specialized in products and tools that simplify the transportation of sports equipment safely, without sacrificing style. They produce roof racks, bike carriers, cargo carriers, snow chains, boat trailers, luggage, bags and cases, RV accessories etc.

We visited the factory in Hillerstorp, where we were welcomed in a very pleasant way. We were offered a snack and the logistic and human resources managers explained us how they work projecting slides on a screen. We had to wear a kind of protection  with the VISITOR logo on it to visit the company for security reasons.

Into the factory we had to follow the blue line because we couldn't go too close the machines. 

When we entered we saw all the machinery and we could follow every step of the production.

SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THULE:

Who are Thule’s products for?

Thule’s products are for:

-Nature lovers

-Active families

-Professionals with special transport needs

Where is Thule production located?

Thule has many production locations all over the world:

-EUROPE (Sweden)

-ASIA (China)

-SOUTH AMERICA (Brasil)

written by Chiara, Lucia, Michalina, Giulia, Chiara and Sara.

Thule - Quality tests

THULE - QUALITY TESTS

The safety of Thule products is their main concern. Before the production, a product must go through a torture testing. It is exposed to everything from icy cold to long-term UV radiations.

Thule products are subjected to shock tests, vibrant tests, wind tunnels and crash tests.

Some examples we saw at Thule in Hillerstorp:

–                    City Crash Test: simulates an accident and tests what would happen to the product

–                    Driving Tests: puts product to use through different weather conditions, different terrains and obstacles

–                    Sleeping Policeman: simulates the force of driving over speed bumps.

Thule products need a certification from TUV, a German association that certifies the quality and safety of the products.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN

 · Products

Thule Group has always explored new methods to reduce the impact on the envrionment over the lifetime of their products.

 · Energy

Thule focuses on using renewable energy, from lights and computers in the offices to the welding equipment.

 · Waste and recycling

Thule recycles plastic and they also have many different containers to recycle the other materials.

EMPLOYERS

Twice a week they go to the gym for free. Thule believes that exercise is important for a healthy life and to succed in the work place.

82% of the employees who work for Thule are proud to work there!

Thule is an example of a great company which wants their consumers to be satisfied not like many  companies which consider just their profits and not the satisfaction of their consumers, the safety of their products and the health of their workers.

Written by Andres, Elisa, Erika and Gaia.