Brose receives initiative prize 2003 for progressive personnel policy

Bonn (16.10.2003). On 16th October 2003, the foundation “Stiftung Industrieforschung” presented Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG with this year’s “Initiative Prize” for the company’s commendable recruiting policy. The prize worth €25,000 was awarded in recognition of the company’s recruiting initiative "Opportunities for Experienced Specialist and Managerial Staff" which specifically targeted experienced staff over 45 years old.

The jury justified its choice by saying: "With this campaign, Brose is breaching conventional personnel policies. The fact that it does not just focus on young staff in its recruiting activities proves that the company is already gearing itself to meet future demographic challenges.” Alexander Tietje, Director Central Finance and Administration, accepted the prize at a ceremony in Castle La Redoute in Bonn. Brose intends to make a donation of the prize.

Initiated by the company's CEO, Michael Stoschek, a personnel concept was implemented in the spring of 2003 that dared to be unconventional and heralded a trend reversal in the personnel policy of German companies. The Brose Group publicized 100 open jobs in Germany explicitly for older persons.

With this personnel policy, the Brose Group is anticipating a development which German companies are bound to be confronted with in the coming years. With the number of younger employees on the decrease, there will be more and more older people available on the labor market. Brose is already gearing its recruiting activities to this trend.

There was a very great response to this provocative and ingenious advertising campaign. The company received some 1,300 applications, more than 20 persons have already been hired - for example, in purchasing, controlling, finance and manufacturing. “There were also applications from people in their thirties. They wanted to work for a company where it is also possible to be in a responsible position, shaping the future, at the age of 50 or 60, “ said Michael Stoschek. Brose is still receiving applications from the “Wanted - older people” advertisements proving what a lasting effect this campaign has had.

Back in 2001, Brose introduced the “Brose Working World”, an innovative organizational and working-time model. With its pioneering character for the automotive sector, it has won great acclaim throughout Germany. It incorporates four core elements into an overall solution: a flexible office concept with state-of-art, satellite-aided communication technology, variable working-time, a result-oriented performance appraisal and remuneration system instead of overtime payment bonuses as well as special fringe benefits regarding company catering, fitness and health facilities.

Brose is a partner of the international automotive industry, supplying more than 30 automotive manufacturers and leading seat producers. There are currently some 7,000 people at almost 30 locations worldwide engaged in the development and production of intelligent components and systems for vehicle doors and seats. In the past business year, the Brose Group achieved a turnover of almost 1.8 billion euro.

The foundation “Stiftung Industrieforschung” was established in 1974. According to Paragraph 2 of its statute: “The foundation serves to promote research in the industrial economy in areas of economics, organization and technology which could be of particular interest for small and medium-sized companies.”


Press contact Stiftung Industrieforschung:
Dr Wolfgang Lerch (Chairman)
Lindenallee 39a
D-50968 Köln
Telephone: +49 221 9370270
Telefax: +49 221 343807

Press contact Brose:
Christian Treinies
Telephone: +49 9561 21 1188
Telefax: +49 9561 21 1704