GEDIA has ordered an accessibility-adapted press-hardening line from AP&T. The adaptation means that the line will be designed to enable staff with physical disabilities to monitor and manage the process without hindrance.
“It is important for us at GEDIA to make our workplace more inclusive. We are taking a step in the right direction by accessibility-adapting our new press-hardening line. It will be designed to enable operators with physical disabilities to monitor the process,” says Björn Müller, project manager for new machines at GEDIA.
The new line will have a larger free area in front of the control panel to accommodate a wheelchair. The panel itself will also be set lower than usual.
If an unexpected occurrence arises that cannot be managed from the control panel, a colleague can be asked for help.
“We have what we call split work teams in all our production areas, so no one is ever alone,” says Müller.
The new line, which is built on the latest press-hardening technology, will be used to produce body parts for a number of car manufacturers.
“Considering our long-term cooperation with GEDIA, it is now extremely exciting to help make their production efficient and inclusive of people with physical disabilities in the role of line operator,” says Jörgen Theander, Senior Customer Project Manager at AP&T.