Promoting internationalization, pursuing shared goals
In recent years, the MAHLE Group has developed continuously as a result of the commitment of its employees. Today, we are established globally, with our executives, comprehensive processes and systems, and excellent specialists in all functional divisions. We see globalization and development in our markets as an opportunity and a challenge, which should be transformed consistently into success with positive impetus and a great deal of energy. As of 2007, as a result of new acquisitions, approximately 47,000 employees in 24 countries on four continents epitomize our international orientation. With this structure, we support customers across the various time zones by providing competent local contacts and leading technological know-how. The high proportion of employees in Asia and South America and the expansion of our local engineering competence strengthen our presence in these growth regions. In spring 2006, another research and development center was opened in Shanghai, China, and the Chinese engineers trained in Germany and Japan are today collaborating successfully with colleagues throughout the world. With regionally established structures and local production facilities, we can reach the strong growth areas of the global economy directly, without neglecting the established, and still very important, traditional automotive regions in Europe and North America.

Worldwide dialog with the employees
Modern, sustainable organizational structures form the basis for successful work. To verify the efficiency of our Group structures, we conducted an Internet-based employee survey in our worldwide sales organization and among its internal interface partners, which recorded a pleasingly high participation rate. Immediately afterwards, working groups in each region of the world analyzed the results and formulated suggestions for optimization. International employee surveys form an important instrument and are now an integral part of our human resources work. Employee surveys enable us to continuously improve working conditions and organizational aspects, in order to increase and safeguard employee motivation for the medium and long term.

Executive meetings provide impetus
For several years, we have made specific use of International Executive Meetings to communicate our strategic goals, undertake operational planning, and form networks. Through these meetings, concrete projects can be promoted. Subjects include, for example, inventory optimization programs or the strategic positioning of production plants. In addition, specific discussions of advanced development projects and strategic purchasing policy were the focus of attention. During the year under report, these meetings also focused on more general topics, such as executive development, the formulation of our MAHLE Mission, and discussion of the core brand values.

In the MAHLE Mission, we have put into writing - in 16 key statements - our basic values for a mobile future. This shared commitment to paramount values is a point of orientation and anchoring for all divisions of the Company. It can be called upon time and again by the whole organization as a reference point. In addition to this, we develop effective working methods, remuneration and working hours models, which should guarantee maximum motivation and dedication to performance. This is noticeable to our customers and business partners as they collaborate with us throughout the world.