Gläserne Manufaktur - Transperant factory,Germany

Transparent Factory is the English name of an automobile production plant owned by German carmaker Volkswagen, designed by architect Gunter Henn, and opened in 2002. The original German name is Gläserne Manufaktur (factory made of glass, literally vitreous manufactory).

 Both the German and English names are a word play on the double meaning of transparent and glassy, referring to both optical transperancy and transperancy of production process.

The main purpose of the factory is the assembly of Volkswagen's luxury sedan, the Phaeton. Spare capacity was also used to construct Bentley Continental Flying Spur vehicles destined for the European market until 2006, when all work was transferred to Bentley's plant in Crewe, England Bentley's plant in Crewe, England.

Dubbed the “Transparent Factory,” Volkswagen’s Dresden, Germany plant is an amazing facility. Not only is the plant itself brimming with the latest and greatest in manufacturing tech, but the plant is actually transparent thanks to a liberal use of glass.  When entering, the building looks and feels more like a museum or swanky office building than a car factory. But despite its breath taking architecture, the 187 million Euro ($240 million) facility is home to a production area covering 55,000 square meters.

The Volkswagen Phaeton – the company’s prestige luxury car – may not have set the world on fire but the factory in which it is produced is Something Else. Dubbed the ‘Transparent Factory’ because of its incredible use of glass, the plant is in Dresden, Germany. Dresden’s municipal tram network plays an integral role for Volkswagen as specially developed tram cars ("CarGoTram") are used to carry prefabricated parts from the Logistics Centre outside the city to the Transparent Factory. This shuttle service is environmentally friendly and does not create extra traffic congestion for the city.

The factory’s landmark is a glass tower almost 40 metres high and visible from a considerable distance - finished vehicles are stored within it, ready for collection. Phaeton customers are encouraged to come to Dresden to see their car being built and receive VIP treatment when they collect their finished product.

Duration/ Accomodation/ Directions

The glass factory will require a full day of visit including travel to and from Dresden, the factory tour and lunch and breakfast at the joints at the factory itself.

Accomodation is available at the hotels and motels in Dresden.

Train and road transportation is available regularly from Dresden.

other places to see

Elbe Valley:  Elbe valley was once a world heritage site but has since lost its status.
Dresden State Operetta : Dresden State Operetta is the only Operetta in Germany.
Zwinger palacer: a major landmark of German Baroque architecture.
Brühl's Terrace : Brühl's Terrace is known as the "Balcony of Europe". It is one of the favourite inner-city places of both locals and tourists for walking, people-watching, and having a coffee.
Katholische Hofkirche: is a Roman Catholic Cathedral, located in the 'Alstadt'.
Dresden Frauenkirche: is a Lutheran church in Dresden, Germany. Built in the 18th century, the church was destroyed in the firebombing of Dresden during World War II. It has been reconstructed as a landmark symbol of reconciliation between former warring enemies.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transparent_Factory