Kuala Lumpur, 28 July 2009 - Ever tried to describe your job to your family but received blank stares in return? That’s exactly how many of the staff at the Mercedes-Benz assembly plant in Pekan felt so they decided to show them exactly what they do.
 
The atmosphere at Mercedes-Benz Malaysia assembly plant in Pekan, Pahang was bristled with excitement as the plant’s entire staff and their families geared up for their first Appreciation Day recently. It was a special day as the plant was transformed into a place of learning and discovery as it was the first time many family members actually had a glimpse of the assembly lines.
 
Plants staff swelled with pride as they took their families around the plant and its impressive production lines and showed them the work they do in assembling the various Mercedes-Benz vehicles on a daily basis.  It was also a great way for the staff and their families to bond with colleagues in a more relaxed environment.
 
According to Dr. Alexander Roeder, Vice President, Production Plant, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, the Appreciation Day was held to allow our staff to show their families their workplace where they spend five days a week, sometimes more.
 
“Our team puts in countless hours of hard work and this was a nice way for them to share what they do with their families.”
 
“Welcoming families to the plant also gave everyone a chance to meet each other and to show our appreciation for their support especially during times when they patiently stand by us as we spend overtime hours in order to keep up with production demands.” he added.
 
The day was filled with fun activities including plant tours through the Passenger Cars and Commercial Vehicles assembly lines, the Vehicle Preparation Centre, and the Engine Assembly Plant as well as special demonstrations of the Coordinate Measuring Machine in the body shop, where the dimensional accuracy of the body shell built at the plant is measured. It was definitely endearing to watch the kids swarm their parents with a myriad of questions as they were intrigued with the complex workings of all the electronic systems, hydraulic tools and the assembly processes of the sophisticated machines.
 
Everyone was also treated to rides around the plant in the various Mercedes-Benz models available.
 
The kids were kept entertained through a colouring contest, sand art, several clowns and balloon-shapers while a special Road Safety Corner was also set-up featuring MobileKids, a Daimler road safety awareness initiation for children, where the kids learned road safety measures through games and puzzles.
 
“Everyone had a really good time and it was definitely a great way to expose our families to the work we do and to have a day of fun, laughter and camaraderie amongst co-workers,” Dr. Roeder beamed. 
 
The Pekan plant rolls out the Mercedes-Benz C, E and S-Classes as well as the Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi Fuso commercial vehicles models. The staff at the plant includes those from Hicom Automotive Manufacturer Malaysia (HAMM), ATS Manufacturing Services and contract workers.