Mega Factories (Ultimate Factories)

Épisode 1 - Ferrari

9 novembre 2006

Inside Ferrari's closely-guarded factory in Maranello, Italy, you'll see how the newest, most powerful model is created from start to finish, learn its design secrets -- and take a test drive at 200 mph.

Épisode 2 - M-1 Tank

30 novembre 2006

NGC takes you into the factories responsible for completely rebuilding the decades-old Abrams M-1 tank into one of the world's most powerful land weapons systems.

Épisode 3 - Peterbilt

28 janvier 2007

At the Peterbilt factory in Denton, Texas, the world's most sophisticated trucks are built from scratch. Discover Peterbilt's history and drag race a big rig.

Épisode 4 - Budweiser

28 janvier 2007

What's the secret to Budweiser's success? NGC takes you inside the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis to learn the steps, secrets and science behind this legendary concoction.

Épisode 5 - Harley-Davidson

28 janvier 2007

Harley Davidson is a legendary machine that is a symbol of freedom, adventure and the open road. Go behind the scenes of the 10-acre flagship factory in Kansas City to witness the birth of the latest model, the V-Rod, as it's built from the ground up.

Épisode 6 - John Deere

31 janvier 2007

Covering more than 300,000 square metres, the John Deere factory houses more than 2000 employees, 49 robotic welders, eight laser cutters and 14 kilometres of overhead track, all of which help stamp, press, cut and weld 60,000 tons of steel into the John Deere STS Combine a harvesting mega-machine. To begin the process, extremely precise laser cutters are used to create a majority of this mini-factory on wheels 17,000 parts. Assemblers then create the combines 450 kilogram cylinder and its massive grain tank. The factory uses nearly 400 tonnes of welding wire each year enough wire to circle the globe. When the combine has been assembled and is ready for painting, it undergoes a seven-hour process to receive the trademark John Deere green colour. When John Deere decides to update its tractors design, the modification is first tested in the factorys state-of-the-art virtual reality lab to measure the potential impact to the assembly line process, saving both time and money. With its 21st century technology and human innovation, the John Deere mega factory shows the raw power behind one of agricultures most vital machines.

Épisode 7 - Apache Helicopter

15 février 2007

NGC heads to the Boeing plant in Mesa, Arizona -- where cameras are rarely allowed -- for an in-depth look at the world's most lethal attack helicopter and its sophisticated technology.

Épisode 1 - BMW

29 novembre 2007

The name BMW is synonymous with performance, precision, engineering, a fastidious quality. Obsessively designed, owners drive the "ultimate driving machine" for the sheer pleasure of controlling a mechanical marvel on the open road and feeling G-forces in their gut. Now, NGC takes viewers inside the creation of BMW's newest sports cars: the Z4 Roadster. See first-hand how this $45,000 ultimate roadster, with its unique styling and flawless quality, is built by three ultimate factories.

Épisode 2 - Corvette

29 novembre 2007

NGC takes you to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where GM is developing the new Corvette Z06, a high-performance street machine that is fantastically aerodynamically efficient.

Épisode 3 - Winnebago

28 janvier 2008

Winnebago's motor homes, or RVs, have set the standard since the 1960s. But now they have upped the ante with their newest cross-country colossus, the Vectra. Offering 400 square feet of living space, the Vectra even includes a giant basement. From the chassis factory in Gaffney, SC, to the "Big Bertha" mega-plant in IA, visit the Ultimate Factories that create the ultimate home away from home on the open road.

Épisode 4 - UPS

12 juin 2008

Millions depend on UPS. Step inside the largest package delivery company on the planet, delivering 4 billion packages a year.

Épisode 5 - Fire Trucks

19 juin 2008

Go inside fire trucks mammoth 800,000 sq.ft. operation, where over 1,500 highly skilled workers mix muscle and high-tech tools to create made-to-order rigs in approximately 45 days.

Épisode 6 - Lamborghini

26 juin 2008

Lamborghinis factory in SantAgata Bolognese, Italy [ALT: 20 miles/30 kilometers north of Bologna) is building its fastest car ever the Murcielago SV, of which just 350 will be made. The $450,000 Murcielago SV launches from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just 3.2 seconds and can achieve a top speed of 212 miles per hour. The factory builds the car almost entirely by hand including its engine and body. The car is also painted and assembled by hand, including installation of the famous Lamborghini scissor doors. Every car is custom-built to order, and only 2.7 cars are completed per day.

Épisode 1 - Rolls-Royce

8 octobre 2009

The Phantom is the first Rolls-Royce motorcar to be introduced since the company was acquired by BMW in 1998. Each Phantom is a unique combination of state-of-the-art technology and old-world craftsmanship, constructed with meticulous attention to detail. Manufacture of the Phantom begins in Unterhallerau, Germany, where its strong, stiff and lightweight space frame chassis is built. Each space frame and body shell assembly is then sent to BMWs factory in Dingolfing, Germany for corrosion-resistance treatment and primer paint. Next, each Phantom is shipped to a manufacturing facility constructed by BMW specifically to build the new generation of Rolls-Royce motorcars. It takes an average of 450 hours and the skills of hundreds of dedicated craftspeople, artisans, designers, engineers, mechanics, painters, sewing machinists and others to hand-build each car. At a base price of $380,000, the Phantom comes equipped with an impressive list of standard amenities including 90 square yards (75 sq meters) of A-grade Bavarian leather upholstery and book matched interior wood trim, hand-crafted from exotic veneers, all of which are fashioned right in the main assembly building of the Goodwood plant. With the Rolls-Royce customization, or bespoke program, however, the options are limited only by the boundaries of the buyers bankroll and imagination.

Épisode 2 - Camaro

15 octobre 2009

What does it take to build a classic car with 21st century technology? Now, after nearly a decade off the factory line, Chevy is reintroducing the 2010 Camaro SS. NGC visits the 10-million-square-foot factory, one of the largest auto plants in the world, where the car is stamped from cold raw steel and assembled by high-tech precise robots and nearly 5,800 employees, to create the car's specially designed "unibody" construction.

Épisode 3 - Porsche

22 octobre 2009

Get inside the famous House of Porsche and see how they create the Porsche 911, one of the most influential and recognizable vehicles in the world. Every distinctive element is manufactured at the Zuffenhausen factory in Stuttgart, Germany, a historical industrial monument. We'll examine the Porsche factory's innovative system of lifts, elevators and bridges, which conveys car bodies 50 feet above a public highway.

Épisode 4 - IKEA

29 octobre 2009

In 36 countries, in 296 stores IKEA represents a distinct design and an affordable price. Each year nearly 600 million customers choose IKEA. From teaspoons to living rooms, the entire contents of a home are designed, manufactured and supplied in a huge variety of styles, colors and models... almost 10,000 items. To get the job done, suppliers in 54 countries carry out IKEAs vision. In Zbaszynek, Poland, IKEAs largest wood production plant in the world, creates 2 million tables, chairs, sofas and recliners each year. Nearby, in Nowe Skalmmierzyce, IKEAs the companys textile supplier builds over 500 pieces of upholstered furniture daily. In southern Sweden, three ultimate factories create IKEA staples. In Almhult, the prototype for every product is born and an advanced mass produced carpentry factory creates state of the art kitchens. In Kattilstorp, the classic Billy Bookcase is manufactured. And in Hultsfred, the foundation of most IKEA furnishings, the strong, hardwearing particle board is born.

Épisode 5 - Caterpillar

28 janvier 2008

The Caterpillar 797B is so large that assembly takes place at six different locations. Tour all of the factories that build this mining Goliath.

Épisode 6 - NYC Subway Car

16 novembre 2009

Join us as we follow the creation of the car that moves millions. The R-160 Subway car is the newest member of the New York City Transit fleet -- bringing 21st Century safety and technological innovations to a mass transit system over 100 years old. These innovations include LCD screen maps, a passenger emergency intercom system, soundproofing and a braking system that actually generates electricity and returns power to the third rail. It starts as sheets of metal in Sao Paulo, Brazil where human skill, fire, and steel come together to build the body shell. After a month-long voyage, the body arrives in Hornell, NY for final assembly, motor installation, and testing. Once assembled the R-160 weighs nearly 85,000 lbs and contains 24 miles of wiring. This car is built to last 40 years, to withstand the force of 1.6 billion riders per year, and survive in one of the worlds toughest environments New York City.

Épisode 7 - Eurofighter Typhoon

13 mars 2010

An army of engineers in three different countries constructs the awesome Typhoon, which can reach speeds of over 2000 KPH.

Épisode 1 - Dodge Challenger

3 février 2011

The Season 4 opener spotlights the 2011 Dodge Challenger. The hour includes a tour of an assembly plant in Canada and a Mexican factory, where its famed Hemi engine is built.

Épisode 2 - Maserati

10 février 2011

An exotic car built to push performance to the edge while blending Italian elegance is crafted inside Maserati's ultimate factory. It takes 22 days for a Maserati to be assembled and considered road ready and the Maserati GranTurismo Convertible, a $135,000 convertible that tops out at more than 170 mph, is the new pinnacle of performance and comfort.

Épisode 3 - Dodge Viper

17 février 2011

The hand-built production car, the Dodge Viper, is born, bred and built in Detroit, Michigan. Now NGC takes a unique insider's look at the Viper factory in the current model's last year of production. This ultimate factory is comprised of craftspeople who spend two and a half days building each Viper, which is packed with 600 horsepower that can take it from zero to 60 mph in under four seconds. Without any robots on this assembly line, every Viper is truly hand-crafted.

Épisode 4 - Mercedes Benz

24 février 2011

A Mercedes-Benz factory in Germany is visited for a look at the making of the 571-horsepower 2010 SLS.

Épisode 5 - Bentley

3 mars 2011

It's been 50 years since Rolls Royce created a new Bentley fit for royalty and rock stars, and it's a challenge for Bentley's ultimate factories to construct the Mulsanne, a new design of the luxury car. It takes more than 550 hours and nine weeks for artisans and technicians to create this masterpiece. Precision robots ensure that this two-and-a-half-ton luxury car's body is flawlessly molded, but the finest leather is hand-sewn for Bentley's lavish upholstery.

Épisode 6 - Jack Daniel's

10 mars 2011 - 5/5

The Jack Daniel's Distillery in Lynchburg, Tennessee is visited to see how the famous whiskey is made.

Épisode 7 - Coca-Cola

17 mars 2011

Épisode 8 - Lego

20 mars 2011

As simple as it is successful, LEGO is without doubt one of the most popular toys of all time. This eye-opening trip to the company's high-tech factory reveals how robots and tricky test markets are behind the company's ever-popular police station set.

Épisode 9 - Heineken

24 mars 2011

Made to a 150-year-old recipe in Europe's largest brewery, raise a toast to the men and women at the beer giant's Zoeterwoude home - where some 11 million hectolitres of thirst-quenching lager can be produced every year.

Épisode 10 - Aston Martin Supercar

A look behind-the-scenes at Aston Martin HQ in Warwickshire to reveal how the customised and coveted One-77 is designed and manufactured.

Épisode 11 - Jaguar

24 février 2011

With a 75-year legacy of jaw-dropping design to protect, find out how space-age techniques borrowed from the aerospace industry aid the construction of the brand new XJ in the car firm's futuristic Castle Bromwich plant.

Épisode 12 - Bugatti Super Car

28 avril 2011

The Bugatti Veyron is a "super" super car - part automobile and part airplane. And with a base price of $1,750,000, it is the most expensive production car in the world. Designed with materials and construction techniques normally found in the aerospace industry, this remarkable engineering achievement is one of the fastest street-legal cars ever built. Now, NGC takes an insider look at the Bugatti factory to see how this modern engineering masterpiece is built.

Épisode 13 - Swedish Super Car

27 mai 2011

Only a privileged few ever get behind the wheel of the slick, sexy Koenigsegg and, similarly, only a privileged few play a role in its lovingly hand-built construction. Enter their artistic Swedish factory. Discover how each powerful Koenigsegg car is lovingly hand-built, in a Swedish factory that looks more like an art studio than a car production plant. The basic concept of the Koenigsegg is simple: a road car body that incorporates a Formula One racing car chassis. Koenigseggs are among the most exclusive super cars in the world with unparalled levels of performance. The combination of uncompromising quality in both finish and function and the use of space age materials make these super cars among the very best in automotive history. Koenigseggs are built to excel on the road or racetrack, yet are still highly comfortable for long distance travelling.

Épisode 1 - Aston Martin One-77

4 septembre 2011

Épisode 2 - BMW X3

1 novembre 2011

A BMW plant in South Carolina is visited for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the X3 in the Season 5 opener.

Épisode 3 - Porsche Panamera

7 janvier 2012

A Porsche factory in Leipzig, Germany, is visited for a look at the making of the Panamera, the company's first four-door high-performance sports sedan.

Épisode 4 - Mack Truck

14 janvier 2012

A Mack Truck factory in Macungie, Pa., is visited for a look at the making of the Titan, which features a high level of customization, making automating the production process nearly impossible

Épisode 5 - Lego

21 janvier 2012

As simple as it is successful, LEGO is without doubt one of the most popular toys of all time. This eye-opening trip to the company's high-tech factory reveals how robots and tricky test markets are behind the company's ever-popular police station set.

Épisode 6 - Frito-Lay

28 janvier 2012

A Frito-Lay factory in Perry, Ga., is visited for a look at the making and distribution of potato chips, cheese puffs and tortilla chips.

Épisode 7 - Ford F-150

4 février 2012

The building of a Ford F-150 is documented at the Dearborn Truck Plant in Michigan, which churns out more than 1200 trucks a day

Épisode 8 - Bacardi

11 février 2012

The making of Bacardi rum is observed at a distillery in San Juan

Épisode 9 - Ducati

18 février 2012

A Ducati factory in Italy is visited for a look at the making of the Multistrada 1200 sport bike

Épisode 10 - Heineken

25 février 2012

A tour of Heineken's 250-acre flagship brewery in Zoeterwoude, Netherlands

Épisode 11 - Eurofighter

3 mars 2012

The construction of the Eurofighter Typhoon, an advanced multi-role combat aircraft, is chronicled in three factories across three countries.

Épisode 12 - Bugatti Veyron

Épisode 13 - MV Agusta

Épisode 14 - Lotus Evora

Épisode 15 - Williams F1

Épisode 16 - Guinness

Épisode 17 - Swiss Army Knife

Épisode 18 - Mini Coupe

Épisode 19 - Michelin

Épisode 20 - Illy Coffee

Épisode 21 - Jaguar XJ

Épisode 22 - Speed Rail

Épisode 23 - Swedish Super Car

Épisode 24 - Super Chopper

Épisode 25 - Mercedes Overhaul

Épisode 26 - Ford Mustang Shelby GT-500

Épisode 27 - Ferrari FF

Épisode 28 - Lamborghini Aventador

Épisode 29 - Piaggio Vespa

Épisode 30 - Ducati

30 mai 2011

Épisode 1 - Lotus Evora

8 mars 2012

Cet épisode de Megafactories vous emmène à Norfolk au coeur de l'usine Lotus, où est fabriquée une des voitures britanniques les plus performantes. Dany Bahar, le nouveau directeur général de la marque, a mis en place une nouvelle stratégie qui vise à remettre Lotus au sommet des classements des voitures de sport. Pour cela, Dany s'entoure d'une équipe de rêve : autrefois embauchés chez Porsche ou Ferrari, ils vont transformer Lotus en un clin d'oeil. Une nouvelle méthode de production accorde aux techniciens plus de responsabilités, et plus de temps sur les voitures. Vous rencontrerez un professionnel qui construit des voitures à la main et vous découvrirez une des créations phares de Lotus : la Lotus Evora, capable de passer de 0 à 60km/h en seulement 5 secondes !

Épisode 2 - Williams F1 Car

15 mars 2012

Pénétrez dans l'incroyable univers de l'écurie Williams Formule 1. Après une course en Europe, l'équipe est de retour à son siège au Royaume-Uni avant de repartir pour un séjour de plusieurs mois à l'autre bout du monde. Les experts doivent réparer entièrement la voiture, améliorer l'aérodynamique et entretenir l'engin avec un savoir-faire unique, et tout cela en espace d'une semaine. Un design à couper le souffle, le talent de chaque membre de l'équipe et une technologie de pointe font de Williams une écurie imbattable.

Épisode 3 - EA Sports: FIFA 12

10 mai 2012

FIFA Football, un des plus grands jeux vidéo de football, est un succès planétaire. Ses créateurs sont devenus de vraies célébrités, et ce n'est pas pour rien. Ce jeu vidéo est tellement proche de la réalité que même les joueurs professionnels s'en servent pour tester leurs capacités face à l'adversaire. Pénétrez dans les coulisses de l'usine Electronic Arts dans la ville de Burnaby au Canada, et découvrez comment ces concepteurs de génie ont transformé le sport le plus populaire au monde en une oeuvre d'art.

Épisode 4 - Guinness

14 juin 2012

A look behind the scenes at the biggest dark beer brewery in the world, the 48-acre St James Gate Brewery, located right in the middle of Dublin.

Épisode 5 - Swiss Army Knife

17 mai 2012

At the Victorinox factory in Switzerland, raw steel is fashioned into the most iconic multi-purpose tool invented – the Swiss Army Knife.

Épisode 6 - Euro Luxury Cars

It's a truly European obsession: the quest to combine the power and precision that is intrinsically linked to high-performance vehicles with the style and elegance synonymous with luxury car makers. Visiting four renowned car manufacturers, we are privy to a world where every inch of the car is lovingly crafted and exhaustively tested to produce an end result that is without peer. Enter these state-of-the-art factories and see what it takes to make a Euro luxury car.

Épisode 7 - Aston Martin

1 mars 2012

A look behind-the-scenes at Aston Martin HQ in Warwickshire to reveal how the customised and coveted One-77 is designed and manufactured.

Épisode 8 - Megabridges Greece

Épisode 9 - Porsche 911

Épisode 10 - Tesla Model S

Épisode 11 - Lexus LFA

Épisode 12 - Nissan GT-R

Épisode 13 - Gumpert Apollo

Épisode 1 - The Mini Coupe

12 avril 2012

Follow the Mini Coupe – the Oxford plant's first ever two-seater sports vehicle – as it makes its way through the state-of-the-art Mini factory.

Épisode 2 - Boeing 747

3 mai 2012

How the popular Boeing 747 is being upgraded to challenge new models such as the Airbus A380, which has proved tough competition for the American company.

Épisode 3 - Learjet

26 avril 2012

The construction of the Learjet 60XR in Kansas, a multimillion-pound private plane that combines jet-fighter performance with yacht-style luxury.

Épisode 4 - Michelin

24 janvier 2013

Designing tyres for everything from cars and motorcycles to jumbo jets and the space shuttle, Michelin’s latest goal is to create a new tyre that will increase fuel mileage for cars.

Épisode 5 - Pyrotechnics

31 décembre 2012

Australia's Howard and Sons have been making fireworks for almost 100 years, now the reigns have been handed down and they are breaking with tradition.

Épisode 6 - Tata Nano

10 juillet 2012

Sir Ratan Tata is a man on a mission: to make India's roads safer by getting people off motorbikes and into the world's cheapest car - the Tata Nano.

Épisode 7 - Illy Coffee

25 mai 2012

Learn how the Italian company use cutting-edge technology to produce 37,500kg of coffee a day, and export to 140 countries worldwide.

Épisode 8 - F18

Épisode 9 - Extreme Roller Coaster

28 juin 2012

The 'Giant Inverted Boomerang' roller coaster currently has only 5 installations in the world and speeds riders to over 100 kph over loops, drops and banks. This episode follows the construction of this roller coaster at the Jinjiang Action Park, Shanghai China.

Épisode 10 - Tesla Model S

29 juin 2012

Depuis toujours, l'homme a compté sur le pétrole pour alimenter ses voitures. Mais aujourd'hui, cette source d'énergie devient de plus en plus rare, et de plus en plus chère. Face à cette situation, une compagnie automobile tente de réinventer nos moyens de transport.C'est l'histoire de la toute première voiture électrique : la Tesla Modèle S.

Épisode 11 - Ford Mustang Shelby GT-500

1 novembre 2012

Ford Mustang Shelby GT-500

Épisode 12 - Super Chopper

With top speeds of around 200 mph, next generation super-choppers weigh about 15 tons, defy the laws of gravity, and can go virtually anywhere.

Épisode 13 - Speed Rail

24 mai 2012

Follows the production of the "Automotrice à grande vitesse" (Alstorm AGV); the standard gauge high-speed electric multiple unit train designed and built by Alstorm, running all around Europe.

Épisode 14 - Mercedes Truck Actros

12 mai 2012

Each new version of the Actros is custom made by Mercedes-Benz, a supreme test of efficiency for a factory that builds a truck every two minutes.

Épisode 15 - Lamborghini Aventador

29 novembre 2012

Explore the production process of Lamborghini’s staggering Aventador LP 700-4, a ground-breaking speedster capable of doing 0-100kph in less than three seconds.

Épisode 16 - Lexus LFA

30 novembre 2012

For 20 years, Lexus has been synonymous with quiet, efficient, luxury. Now they have launched their first petrol sucking supercar - the Lexus LFA. 325kph and 0-100kph in 3.8 seconds, it's anything but understated. This is the construction story behind the ultimate Japanese supercar. Hand built at the LFA Works in Toyota City, Japan, this car is 65% carbon fibre and powered by the highest revving production engine on the road. At $375,000 it's also the most expensive Japanese road car ever.

Épisode 17 - Nissan GT-R

15 novembre 2012

Épisode 18 - Tecnogym

Épisode 19 - MV Agusta

31 mars 2012

Purchased by a father and son team, the company is now betting its future on a brand new motorcycle design. MV Agusta is one of the most famous Italian motorcycle brands ever but its most recent history has had many ups and downs. But now the company is back and betting its future on a brand new machine called the F3. Its design, engineering and manufacturing is key to whether the MV brand can not only survive but return to glory.

Épisode 20 - Iveco HMV

Épisode 21 - Bundaberg Rum

Two fires have razed it to the ground, floods have lapped at its doorstep and devastated its community – but 125 years on, the Bundaberg Distillery is not only surviving, it is flourishing. The Australian rum, which bears the name of its hometown, was created by a band of sugar millers in 1888, when faced with an overwhelming oversupply of molasses. We look into the culture, the processes, the innovation and the community that make Bundaberg Rum unique. It’s more than a mega factory, it’s an Aussie icon, and is now one of the top tourist attractions in Queensland. Just like the lives of the people who live there, it’s a story of ingenuity, grit and determination.

Épisode 1 - Pagani Huayra

13 décembre 2012

How the Pagani Huayra is being built to challenge the best from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Koenigsegg, and McLaren.

Épisode 2 - Ferrari FF

22 novembre 2012

Épisode 4 - Gumpert Apollo

20 décembre 2012

Épisode 5 - Campari

10 février 2013

Épisode 6 - Riva Yachts

Épisode 7 - Corona

10 mars 2013

Épisode 8 - Koenigsegg

Épisode 9 - Toyota Australia

8 avril 2013

Toyota Australia has just revealed a new state-of-the-art engine plant built to produce AR hybrid engines for local and export markets, one of only five engine plants of its kind. But getting there was no mean feat - and National Geographic Channel was there to capture the journey.

Épisode 10 - Corvette ZR1

8 novembre 2012

Épisode 11 - Audi R8

Épisode 14 - Wargaming

22 novembre 2013

Megafactories takes us inside the Wargaming.net online gaming company. Players around the globe connect to state of the art game servers and turn the clocks back on history, fighting in virtual battles. Using tank warfare, a staggering 60 million players try to rewrite history in in the company's flagship game, World of Tanks, by annihilating the opposition and conquering their rightful territories.

Épisode 15 - Mclaren Supercar

Épisode 16 - Almarai

Since it's start in 1977, Almarai has grown into the largest and most recognized dairy producer in the Middle East. But keeping cows in the desert of Saudi Arabia is no easy task. Inside this edition of Megafactories, the birthing, raising, feeding and milking of Almarai's 135,000 Holstein dairy cows is as organized as the mostly automated bottle molding and filling stations into which their milk is poured. Using new technology, a secret recipe for cow feed, and a stringent testing process, viewers follow milk from cow to bottle to store shelf.

Épisode 17 - Vestel City

This episode takes us inside a day in the life of the biggest factory complex in Europe. Located in Manisa, Turkey, it has an army of 14,000 employees producing mind boggling numbers of appliances: 45,000 TV sets, 9,500 refrigerators, 8,000 washing machines and 1,700 dishwashers are produced from start to finish each day.

Épisode 18 - Hero Motorcycles

30 juin 2016

Explore Hero MotoCorp's, factory, which is the world's largest motorcycle manufacturing company.