It’s not uncommon for employees in companies globally to occasionally take some office supplies, like pencils or printer paper. However, Tesla’s factory in Germany is facing a more significant issue—the theft of around 65,000 coffee mugs.
During a staff meeting, Andre Thierig, the plant manager of Tesla’s Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg, confronted some of the facility’s 12,000 staff members. Alongside discussions on workers’ safety and pay, Thierig expressed frustration over the tens of thousands of missing coffee mugs, according to a recording obtained by Handelsblatt.
“We’ve bought 65,000 coffee mugs since we started production here,” Thierig said, as quoted by DW. “Statistically speaking, each of you already has five Ikea coffee cups at home.”
Thierig was clearly frustrated with the thefts and warned that he might take away cutlery from the break room if such incidents continued. His comments provided a lighter moment for employees, who laughed and applauded, reports DW.
However, the coffee mug issue is just a minor part of Tesla’s challenges at the German facility. The company has faced protests from climate groups, including one that attacked an electricity transmission tower, due to its expansion plans that involve clearing forest areas. Although local officials have approved these plans, they have been somewhat delayed.
As part of CEO Elon Musk’s cost-cutting measures in April, Tesla laid off about 400 workers at the German plant, according to Reuters. Globally, the automaker has cut at least 14,000 jobs.
The German plant also faces accusations of violating environmental laws, health regulations, and worker safety protections since it began production two years ago. Stern reported last year that Tesla had reported three times more emergencies than Audi’s plant in Ingolstadt.
“While the whole world thinks we are only busy with mugs, we actually care about the most important asset of our Gigafactory—our people. We listened to their feedback and finally finished our newest employee facility,” Thierig wrote on LinkedIn, addressing media reports on the issue. Tesla recently celebrated the “pre-opening” of its new “Giga Gym,” he said.