Webasto: Goodbye to the delusion of the day

Webasto in Kampen is a wholly owned subsidiary of the German Webasto AG, which operates as a market leader in 43 countries and focuses on the development, production, sales and services of sunroof, air conditioning and heating products for the automotive and nautical markets.

Methodology

Symbol started in 2012 with a trajectory specifically put together for Webasto using the current situation as a starting point. This current situation was mapped out by Symbol together with Webasto’s management using McKinsey’s 7S model. The goals for the trajectory were then established:

• Achieve a culture shift: from reactive to proactive,
• Increase quality awareness,
• Take a deeper look into the application of ISO/TS 16949 techniques.

Symbol paid attention during training and coaching sessions to the content and application of ISO/TS 16949 techniques, hierarchical and personal leadership and competency development. In the process, Symbol got to know Webasto employees as committed, enthusiastic and willing to change.

The cooperation between Symbol and Webasto is based on open dialogue, essential for successful change. Mutual expectations are continuously expressed, which now also forms the basis of the changing culture within Webasto. Employees show different behavior, mutual cooperation is improved and communication is more effective.

Result

Currently, there is a clear structure, with a clear division of duties, responsibilities and authority. There is ample scope to apply the techniques of ISO/TS 16949 in a systematic and structured manner. The organization gives employees room to exhibit different behaviors. The delusion of the day has been exchanged for an organizational culture and structure, which allows for better control of processes.

Dennis van Dort, the Director R&D and Technical Services of Webasto Product International NL experiences the cooperation between Symbol and Webasto as: “An open relationship with a competent, critical, no nonsense partner, who holds up a mirror to us and helps us improve our working methods at all levels within the organization. They do this by continually challenging us to examine our actions from the perspective of the ISO/TS 16949 philosophy and to achieve behavioral change and anchor this in our thoughts and actions.”