Škoda opens new $200 million paint shop featuring 66 robots

Škoda Auto has opened a new automotive paint shop at its main plant in Mladá Boleslav, in the Czech Republic, featuring 66 industrial robots configured for applying the paint.

Up to 168,000 car bodies will be coated with paint there each year, taking the plant’s total annual painting capacity up to 812,000 vehicles.

Škoda Auto has invested €214.5 million in the new building, creating more than 650 new jobs. (See infographic below.)

The facility is “one of the most cutting-edge and eco-friendliest of its kind in Europe”, says the company.

Robots are taking over numerous production steps. Innovative technologies mean that the Škoda employees’ workstations have been given a particularly ergonomic design.

Bernhard Maier, Škoda Auto CEO, says: “By opening the new paint shop, we are making our main plant in Mladá Boleslav stronger for the long term.

“It is a key component of our growth trajectory that we are rigorously continuing as part of our 2025 Strategy.

“This allows us to increase our capacity and therefore meet the high customer demand much more effectively.

“At the same time, we have created more than 650 new jobs at Škoda’s headquarters, making a considerable contribution towards strengthening the Czech Republic as an automotive hub.”

Michael Oeljeklaus, Škoda board member for production and logistics, says: “With the opening of the new paint shop, one of the most advanced facilities of its kind in Europe is commencing operation.

“It allows us to markedly increase production capacity at our main plant in Mladá Boleslav. Up to 168,000 car bodies will be coated with paint here each year, taking the plant’s total annual painting capacity up to 812,000 vehicles.

“Numerous production steps are undertaken or assisted by a total of 66 robots. The use of innovative technologies makes the Škoda employees’ workstations particularly ergonomic.”