Project Overview
- Client: Mercedes-Benz
- Project Role: Program Manager
- Project Value: R3.8b
- Timeframe: 2016 – 2021
Project Summary
Schindler Projects played a pivotal role in the comprehensive restructuring of the manufacturing plant in preparation for the production of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W206). The project scope included:
- Construction of two new logistics warehouses, each approximately 20,000m²
- Development of a new gatehouse
- Installation of a fully flexible 360x unit body sorter with integrated conveyor systems
- Construction of a state-of-the-art, double-storey Bodyshop building (44,000m²) featuring a 5m conveyor platform
- Extensive upgrades to the Assembly Hall
- Expansion of the existing water-based Paintshop, increasing capacity by 30%
- Associated upgrades to bulk services
Prior to project commencement, Schindler Projects was engaged to support Mercedes-Benz in developing the most effective delivery strategy. This involved evaluating contractual frameworks (FIDIC, GCC, JBCC, NEC3), assessing various implementation models (turnkey, design-build, conventional client-designed, and partnering models), and conducting comparative analyses between BDA and Procsa project work stages. The final recommendations were adopted and successfully implemented.
Upon project initiation, Schindler Projects was appointed as Programme Manager, providing specialist programme and project management services in close collaboration with the Mercedes-Benz Project Lead. As the first contractor engaged, our involvement spanned from initial planning through to Job 1 and ramp-up. The project also included multiple plant shutdown phases, each requiring meticulously planned and coordinated modifications.
The project was successfully delivered on time and under budget, demonstrating Schindler Projects’ expertise in large-scale industrial restructuring and high-performance project execution.
Client Feedback
In my role as Head of Global Project Management in Mercedes-Benz passenger cars from 2015 to 2022 I was in charge for delivering together with my team all Factory Planning projects for Mercedes-Benz worldwide within the given tight time and cost constraints, and quality targets. For our South African plant in East London, I was very much dependent on skilled experts of the South African construction business. Luckily, with Martin I found the right person who brings not only the necessary ‘hard skills’, but as well the right mindset and heart. He truly takes ownership for a project and makes the project success his utmost personal endeavour. Martin truly stands out. He understands his role as being an integral part of the project success, compared to others being more in an ‘observer’ role.
In particular, we worked together on the W206 Project In East London in which he supported me to define the overall project delivery strategy and then performed the role of Program Manager consulting the overall project lead from Mercedes-Benz. Martin’s appointment was the first order placed for the project 2016 and the he stayed on until after Job 1 was completed in 2021. The project in a magnitude of 5 Bil ZAR was a huge success and thanks to Martin for his valuable contribution.
I would highly recommend Martin as a professional program and project manager for any project.
– Dr. Thorsten Plaggemeier, Head of Global Project Management, Mercedes-Benz (Passenger Cars)
Project Visuals
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