In the fast-paced and often chaotic world of production and manufacturing, the factory is a place where life suddenly becomes very well organised.
Operators work together seamlessly as a team, managers oversee the entire production process to ensure deadlines are met, while quality controllers make sure every single product is tip top and tickety boo.
But what happens when your factory is the same size as a Scottish town and your workforce larger than Justin Bieber’s twitter following?
Let’s find out with a look at mass production in the world’s biggest and best factories.
Ulsan
To car manufacturers all over the world Ulsan is factory heaven on earth: or rather five factories that together cover an area equivalent to 700 football pitches. Located in South Korea, it belongs to Hyundai and a new vehicle rolls off the production line every ten seconds.
In all, there are almost 35,000 employees here, and for those who’d rather not tackle the daily commute to work, there are even 1,000 dormitory-style beds.
Wolfsburg
From South Korea to Germany, where Volkswagen’s famous factory has already brought life to more than 40 million cars.
So huge is this 6,500,000 square-metre facility its workforce has to use bicycles just to get around.
Aalsmeer
Aalsmeer, spread over 518,000 square metres, is home to the world’s largest flower auction house.
Its supply chain sees no fewer than 25 million blossoms arrive here every day, making this the best smelling workplace in the world.
The flowers must be checked for perfection before being sold, which means there is a waiting list of Quality Control Managers all desperate to work here.
Everett
From cars and flowers to aeroplanes. Built in 1966, Everett is the largest Boeing factory in the world. Covering more than 98 acres, this is where the 787 Dreamliner gets its wings.
So vast is the facility, employees have their own restaurants and cinema.
It’s not only popular with workers, however: visitors can enjoy the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour.
NASA Vehicle Assembly Building
Finally we go to infinity and beyond, courtesy of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Officially the largest single-story building in the world, until 2011 this is where all of America’s manned space vehicles were constructed. It still looks out of this world.
Find your place in Production & Manufacturing with top vacancies on s1jobs