Based on the pictures I would call that "an Italian Art Museum" not a motorcycle factory. I've never seen a 'factory' so clean. Anyone read Italian? Thanks for the pictures!
It's my understanding it wasn't always this way. When BMW took over, the facility that was being used was an absolute dump -you wouldn't have wanted a bike from there...
Batch Produce Missing End Batch Type of Moto Moto's to be Produced Today? Moto's Produced Today? With Google language and using my own spin I came up with this. I thought the little arrows where some kind of QC markers, but it looks like there on a display model.
lines from top #1 "lot to produce" in this case, 250 #2 ???? but # is same as line 5 and "fine lotto" is "finished lot" #3 Type of bike in this case, WR250 #4 Bikes to be produced today, in this case, 81 #5 Bikes produced so far today, in this case, 66 Cio'
The sign below says "assembly line # 2. assuming theres at least 2 lines also. Working 200 days a year (yes I took out all of August!) and 2 lines making 81 a day is 32,400 bikes. way more than they ever made and close to the fore mentioned ability to make 40k units a year if they had too.
I toured the factory right at the BMW takeover and it looked much like it does today! I did not see the motor assembly because it was at the other facility, but the production line and final assembly area looked like they do today.
Do you remember Roberto Benigni’s Oscar winning moment for the Life is beautiful movie? Don’t you just want to go inside that factory, step on one of the machines and shout to the workers; Thank ayou, thank ayou…….you are all abeautiful, I want to kiss all of ayou…..I want to make alove to each and everyone of ayou…….. No? Maybe it’s just me?
Ya know no matter how many they made you fine people would still want more. I've got no idea how many lines are being used.
It may be the same building etc, but the production line (the factory as a whole in-fact) has undergone some major improvements to productivity. BMW's influence has brought 'attention to detail' in terms of how the line runs, the efficiency of the line and the importance of keeping cost down without cutting corners. If the unbelievers saw it work they would never have any questions about buying a red and white bike.
from dirtrider magazine: http://www.dirtbikemagazine.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=0AA8CC83C7B94262AC408B2619B7F5EA r
They slammed their former suppliers pretty hard. And putting QC rejects on display... That's classic. I like this write up. http://www.cafehusky.com/forums/showpost.php?p=61326&postcount=14