Many manufacturers are just now beginning to focus on their aging workforces. In contrast, Hanover, Germany-based Continental AG has been concerned about this major demographic change for more than 30 years.
Back in the early 1980s, the company took part in its first initiative to help older workers. Called Age-Based Workplace Layout in Serial Tire Production, the initiative was part of the Humanization of the Working Life program overseen by the German federal government. Its purpose was two-fold: reduce workplace stress through technical and layout improvements, and implement organizational and individual measures to enable employees to continue working until they are older.