Students naturally wondered why a car factory was arranged for their Global Classroom programme. Their curiosity were quickly answered when they realised that Mini has shifted their production from mass-market assembly line, to its current state of custom built fashion icon status. Global Classroom students got to see the entire production line, from the state of the car starting just as a metal frame, to its entire completion, with wheels and paint job all assembled and sprayed on in front of their very eyes. The completed automobile was then literally driven off to be parked at the car park! Above that, the extensive use of robotics and automation of the assembly line process also give students creative ideas on the use of modern technology, computer programming and robotics.

Business and entrepreneurship students were engaged in a refreshing view of manual labour and human resource management.

Students inspect the detailing on a Mini Cooper.

But perhaps most inspiring to Limkokwing students was the innovation that Mini has taken to adopt the ‘custom built’ market, following the current consumer trend of designer made products built on demand, and incorporating personal tastes and preferences. During their visit, the group had the privilege to observe Mini receiving a large order of 5000 individual units, all built to order based on different specifications. Students were particularly excited about how individual orders were organized and instructions distributed down the assembly line, utilising unique parts and custom built components to fit different individual orders. The immense scale of the logistics and management efficiency gave students firsthand experience of meeting the demands of both customization and industrial efficiency.

Tan Cheng Yi, a BA (Hons) in Professional Design student, said: “To see how creative designs can be replicated on an industrial scale with such degree of excellence really gave me a boost to get my act together to develop an exciting and creative design. I want to see my design running around the roads like Mini!”

Indra Putra Bin Abdul Hakim Ashari, currently studying BBus (Hons) in International Business, added: “We have always heard of robotics and computer technology being used in business and manufacturing, but to see it live and in person really changed my way of thinking and approach towards business and production. I feel my business dreams just got expanded exponentially.”

All in all, it was an exciting and inspiring visit for the students to see yet another innovation leader taking the lead in merging efficient production management and custom built operation, all based on a classic British design.