Bentley Workers Take to Cabinetry

During times of crisis, it’s not uncommon for the automotive industry to take on other manufacturing capacities. During wartime, the machinery made to produce such fine pieces as engine components were easily converted into weapons manufacturing facilities, while sheetmetal shops would produce everything from vehicle parts to aircraft skins. And no brand remains untouched when the need becomes dire enough; super luxury car manufacturer Maybach produced massive diesel engines for German tanks in World War II, and Rolls Royce’s link to aviation engine manufacturing continues to this day.

So, when the need isn’t quite as dire as it is in wartime, what do luxury automaker’s employees do in a period of mild crisis? Well, if you’re a Bentley carpenter, you start making furniture. Putting all their carpentry and veneering skills to good use, Bentley’s woodworking staff have begun to make everything from tables to cabinets, but instead of selling the products off for profit, the furniture will be used to decorate the showroom, factory reception area, and museum. That said, it has been suggested that once the factory is fully furnished (which may have a different definition than most people’s idea of “fully furnished”) the furniture being produced will become a consumer product.
However, while the project may seem somewhat futile, the end goal is to maintain Bentley’s workforce. With woodworkers that have been in the Crewe factory for upwards of 40 years, the labour force remains Bentley’s largest asset, and to idle them would risk losing some of the most skilled woodworkers in the industry.