Published: 22 June 2023
Known for its sleek designs and high-performance engines, Lotus has been a driving force in the automotive industry for decades. Lotus Cars is a British automotive manufacturer specialising in sports and racing cars. It has a rich history of producing exceptional sports cars that have won numerous motorsports championships over the years.
The company was founded in 1952 by Colin Chapman and has its headquarters in Hethel, Norfolk, England. Lotus Cars is owned by Proton, a Malaysian car company. The factory covers an area of 55 acres and employs over 1,700 people. All of the company's sports cars are designed and built at the Hethel factory.
However, have you ever wondered how these stunning vehicles come to life? All the MBA students from the University of Sunderland in London were invited and given an amazing opportunity to visit the Lotus factory in Hethel, England and gain an insightful view into the workings of this iconic business.
Tour Overview
The exclusive visit to the Lotus factory was specifically designed for students currently completing the ‘Value Creation in Organisations - Managing Operations and Marketing’ module under our MBA programmes. The primary focus of the visit was to explore areas like operations management, including process optimisation, inventory/capacity management, and supply chain management being implemented in the Lotus factory, providing real-world insight into the theories. The visit lasted for approximately two hours, giving students the opportunity to view every part of the assembly line and understand how these supercars are created. This offered them a great chance to relate theory with practice, thus creating an incredibly useful and exciting learning experience.
“The Lotus factory tour offers a captivating exploration of the principles and practices of operations management within the automotive industry. Through its emphasis on efficiency, quality control, supply chain management, and sustainability, the tour provides a holistic understanding of how operations management influences the success of an organisation. Students leave with a profound appreciation for Lotus' operational excellence and the vital role operations management plays in driving innovation, productivity, and customer satisfaction.” Hua Jin | Lecturer (PG Business)
At the Lotus factory, our students got a first-hand experience on how each model is crafted using a blend of automation and handcrafting from start to finish. From the frame to the seating and engine, every single component is carefully thought out and placed to ensure that quality is never compromised. The entire process begins with a blank canvas where engineers get creative with their designs along with their amazing ideas that become these iconic vehicles.
With remarkable efficiency, each car is meticulously produced in a mere 23 minutes, showcasing the factory's impressive manufacturing capabilities. The students were also able to directly observe as workers assemble various parts until they form a complete unit, something we don’t often witness in other industries. They also had a good outlook on the engine section production, subframe section assembly, quality control, and various aspects of the factory's operations.
Our students were also given an exceptional opportunity to witness the production and physical construction of the Lotus Emira, the final petrol-powered vehicle that Lotus Cars will create, before shifting to a completely electric vehicle range. The Emira is Lotus' flagship model, and it's no surprise that its assembly process is the most intricate and time-consuming of all their vehicles. The car was put together by a team of highly skilled workers who have been with the company for years.
“Lotus cars have been producing internal combustion engines and petrol cars for over 70 years, but they have now transitioned to electric vehicles. We observed the final assembly of one of their last petrol engine vehicle models, making it a unique and memorable experience. These cars will no longer be produced in the next ten years as Lotus completes its shift towards electric vehicles.” Ural Arslangulov | Lecturer (PG Business)
We are extremely proud that our students got this remarkable and insightful experience as they got an inside look into how luxury cars are manufactured and what goes on behind the scenes at Lotus. The visit provided us with valuable insights into how sleek designs, advanced engineering techniques, and passionate staff collaborate to produce high-end sports cars that have earned Lotus its outstanding reputation in the automotive world.
To sum up, the exclusive visit to the Lotus factory has provided our students in the MBA programmes with remarkable insights into the meticulous craftsmanship and advanced manufacturing techniques that bring their iconic sports and racing cars to life. With a perfect blend of automation and skilled craftsmanship, Lotus achieves a harmonious balance in its production process. Witnessing the final assembly of one of their last petrol-powered models, our students experienced a unique moment in automotive history as Lotus transitions towards a fully electric vehicle range. This insightful experience highlighted the company's commitment to innovation, sleek design, and the passion of its dedicated staff.