Employees
Well-trained and motivated staff is crucial for the economic success of Aebi Schmidt. Conversely, Aebi Schmidt has great responsibility as an employer. Measured in full-time equivalents (FTE), the number of employees worldwide amounted to 1336 at the end of 2011 (previous year: 1315). A total of 1160 full-time employees were working at the production facilities in Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland (previous year: 1137), thereof 185 were fixed-term employees (previous year: 167). At that time, 49 (previous year: 39) employees were in training. Women accounted for 13.7% (previous year: 12.5%), 0.9% (previous year: 0.9%) being employed in management positions. In 2011, the average fluctuation rate including reductions due to retirement was 9.6% (previous year: 10.3%).
Education and further training for success
Aebi Schmidt has recognised the shortage of well educated staff prevailing especially in Germany and is therefore increasingly engaging itself in qualifying young specialists. In the 2011/2012 year of training, not only was the number of traineeships offered increased from 8 to 12 but the training programme was also extended. The professions of process engineer for coating technology and logistics technician have lately been included. The cooperation with the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University in Lörrach for starting a dual study has also been intensified. The new study course of industrial engineering has been offered since October 2011; the study course of electrical engineering will be added in October 2012.
The general demand for education and further training among employees has considerably increased. Whereas it has so far been product trainings, the current demand is geared towards specialist further training, e.g. hydraulics, finance, languages, communications, export, customs, master craftsmen’s college, etc. Such further training courses are also funded by companies and Aebi Schmidt is making every effort to deploy the employees in the company according to their respective qualifications after completion of the further training.
Personnel development is an essential prerequisite for entrepreneurial success. Good cooperation is possible only with socially competent employees and executives. Against this background, the management training programme titled “Lead the Change II” was started in the year under review. The company’s strategic orientation, the corporate culture and the corporate values should be based on common ground; the corresponding behaviour should be exemplified by the executives. This promotes the employees’ identification with the company and motivates them.
In dialogue with employees
Aebi Schmidt has been conducting staff interviews for several years to visualise and harness the competencies and the potential of its employees. Two types of staff interviews are conducted: potential assessment interviews (ICD) for management staff and employees with leadership potential and employee interviews for employees at all remaining levels. This makes it possible to record both the staff development and the systematic future staff planning. In the year under review, altogether 57.1% of all staff members participated in the management and employee interviews (previous year: 81.6%). The goal is to increase the attendance to these interviews to reach previous year’s level. In these interviews, the employees especially appreciated the fact that the company is investing money in the education and further training of its staff. In addition to staff interviews, there are also target setting and target achievement interviews, in which the goals are defined at the beginning of every year and their achievement is assessed at the end of the year to determine possible variable remuneration. Basically, it can be said that the set goals are being well achieved, however, there is still room for improving the goal setting process itself.
Employee satisfaction
In the reporting year, no employee survey was conducted; instead, the in-house IT department was surveyed to determine the satisfaction with the IT tools and supports; the evaluation of this survey has not yet been completed. As a special implementation measure determined in previous year’s survey, where room for improving the range of further training opportunities had been determined, a sales training course for employees was introduced in 2011. By participating in the Triple S communication and sales training tailored to Aebi Schmidt, the employees learned how to actively achieve customer satisfaction and enthuse customers so that the recommend Aebi Schmidt. Only those who stand out against competitors in a positive manner will create customer retention. About 150 sales employees attended the Triple S (Successful Sales Skills) training.
Trainee excursions, in-house practice days, where employees are provided the opportunity to field-test the Aebi machines, special summer offers with sun cream and special sales campaigns for the new Aebi Schmidt winter jackets are good examples of popular employee activities regularly conducted by Aebi Schmidt.
Safety and health
Aebi Schmidt places a strong emphasis on creating a safe work environment. Before staff members start their employment, they receive thorough instructions on safe practices in the workplace. Furthermore, safety inspectors are provided with both internal and external training; in the year under review, 3 additional safety inspectors were appointed. Safety inspections are conducted on a regular basis and any shortcomings detected are eliminated. For example, a protective casing was constructed for the trial operation of front-mount cutters. In the field of final assembly and vehicle startup, new exhaust systems were set up or, where possible, existing ones improved. Additionally, all employees in noise-intensive working areas have to wear appropriate auditory protection. Numerous employees at the German locations of St. Blasien, Koblenz, Langenhagen, Laatzen and Wiedermar received training in fire protection and the handling of fire extinguishers.
In the event that a workplace accident does happen, an accident investigation will be carried out and necessary measures will be taken for future accident prevention. In the reporting year 2011, a total of 83 workplace accidents (previous year: 61) were reported, some of which required medical attention (25 in Germany, 24 in Holland, 24 in Poland, 10 in Switzerland). When measured in days, there were altogether 502 missed work days.
In the reporting year, occupational health services such as annual flu vaccination or blood analysis were offered within the scope of the company’s health care scheme. A very popular and successful first-aid training course, attended by 25 participants, and several health courses concerning issues such as exercising, stress management and nutrition were offered in St. Blasien. Aebi Schmidt intends to expand its occupational health management scheme in 2012.