Mechanical engineering companies and automotive suppliers are the biggest employers in the Bodenseekreis district, providing over 17,000 jobs. In an interview, Thomas Sigi, Executive Vice President responsible for Human Resources at ZF Friedrichshafen AG (approx. 7,000 employees in Friedrichshafen and about 60,000 worldwide) explains how he intends to make the company the most attractive employer in the automotive supplier industry.
Mr. Sigi, following the global financial and economic crisis, many companies have experienced a decline in production. How did ZF manage to overcome the crisis?
We also had to cut back production significantly last year. Overall, we contended with a drop in sales of around 25 percent. But the signs are pointing to growth again. For the current year, we expect sales to increase by at least ten percent. Our efforts to prepare the company for periods of decline while the going was good by investing in tangible assets as much as in technological
know-how have paid off. Our financing is on a sound basis and we have an excellent global market presence. All this means that the future looks promising.
You were appointed Executive Vice President responsible for Human Resources at ZF in August last year. What is your greatest challenge in this position?
As Executive Vice President for Human Resources, I am responsible for the company’s most important asset, its employees. ZF is a technology-driven company, and as such we constantly rely on ideas and innovations. These are mainly formed in people’s minds. As a result, they constitute an important competitive factor for the entire Group.
What are your long-term goals?
A core focus is on positioning ZF as the most attractive employer in the automotive supplier industry. Because only attractive companies can recruit and retain the best staff. With the best brains, we can offer the most innovative products. That in turn boosts our market success and ensures that we are profitable, which, of course, enhances our reputation as an employer. I guess you could say it’s a cycle with a long-term impact.
How do you plan to go about this?
So-called hard factors play a role, such as performance-based pay, job security and individual perspectives. But long-term aspects also have an impact, for example the working atmosphere or the image of our products and company. As Executive Vice President responsible for HR, I can and intend to either work directly on these fundamental issues affecting our corporate culture or influence them in some way.
ZF is a global company. How important are the headquarters in Friedrichshafen for the company?
Germany as a location still has top priority for us. Over 60 percent of ZF employees work here. Friedrichshafen also continues to play a key role in the global network. Our central R&D activities are located here, and for good reason. The region supplies highly-qualified engineers who work on tomorrow’s products. However, our top team not only comprises engineers, but also a
large number of skilled workers who implement ideas, guarantee quality and reliable delivery, and keep a continuous optimization process going with their own ideas.
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