- The initiative, which provides workers with an opinion forum, achieved a new savings record in 2016
- Throughout the year 13,693 ideas were put forward, of which nearly half received prize money totalling almost two million euros
- 6,000 proposals were received in the first six months of 2017
- The company takes a further step in its commitment to its employees by creating a new section in the mundoSEAT app called Employee Area
Martorell, 16/08/2017.- The Ideas for Improvement programme promoted by SEAT, which encourages employee participation in achieving savings and process improvements, last year resulted in a record amount of savings for the company. In 2016, SEAT managed to save nearly 13.8 million euros thanks to the proposals made by the employees, who came up with a total of 13,693 ideas for improvement.
SEAT employees put forward their suggestions for improving processes, and in so doing, contribute their vision for making the company more efficient. Nearly half of the proposals deserved a prize for their originality, implementation capacity or benefit to the company. In total, SEAT gave nearly two million euros in prize money to its workers for their contributions made in ten categories: Product, Facilities, Ergonomics, Energy Savings, Easy, Process Improvement, Quality, Environment and Innovation.
One of the most original ideas features a driving robot that controls the direction and speed of cars in the driver assistance system development tests. A system was created using in-house resources that precisely defines the speed and course that a car must follow on a repeated basis. Thanks to this idea there is now no need for commercial systems that are expensive to purchase, maintain and adapt to SEAT vehicles.
During the first six months of 2017, a total of 6,000 ideas were submitted to the Ideas for Improvement programme, which continues to encourage employee participation in achieving cost and energy savings and general improvements in the working environment, and inspires creativity as a key competence. SEAT Vice-president for Human Resources Xavier Ros emphasised the participation rate and “the positive effects that this kind of initiatives have on workers, as they increase the sense of belonging to an organisation and encourage active participation”.
SEAT’s commitment to its workers
In addition to relying on the opinions of its employees, SEAT also carries out different activities to improve working conditions and make day to day tasks easier. One indication of this is the recent update made to the mundoSEAT app, which now features the Employee Area, a new section aimed at workers where all kinds of essential, useful information is provided, such as the purchase of cars, payroll information or commuting to work, among others. Employees can use the app to access detailed information regarding their working relation with SEAT and consult practical information such as telephone numbers, public transport schedules or canteen menus, among other options.
One of the most prominent sections of the app is the new SEAT Card, an exclusive card that offers direct access to discounts and special offers that only company employees are eligible for.
These kinds of initiatives are also reflected in the Top Employer certification, which the company has received for the third year in a row. Top Employers Institute, the organisation that has been certifying businesses all over the world since 1991 which offer magnificent working conditions to their workers, has concluded for another year that SEAT offers an excellent working environment.
