As the automotive industry is shifting gears and entering a new era where customers are more demanding and focused on sustainability, rules and regulations are stricter, competition is more robust and faster, manufacturing companies need to adapt their business model and operations to remain relevant to the market.
In an interview for Automotive Tomorrow, Bernhard Gehlert, Senior Vice President, Commercial Director Bosch plant in Blaj, shares his view on the future of the automotive industry, investing in education and the right skills for employees to remain competitive in a fastpaced industry.
Automotive Tomorrow: How is Bosch Blaj Plant currently preparing for the future of the automotive industry, i.e., transition to electric vehicles? As the industry switches to EVs, how are the manufacturing operations impacted by this?
Bernhard Gehlert: The automotive industry is in a transformation phase, and in a context where we anticipate a quite sharp decline in demand for cars with classic engines in the next 10 years, adapting the business to the new reality will be very important for companies who want to remain competitive and relevant in the market. At Bosch we have been preparing for this moment. For production plants, this represents a change as well in manufacturing technology and investment in competences.
Automotive Tomorrow: How was the evolution of the activities in the Bosch plant in Blaj?
Bernhard Gehlert: The Bosch plant in Blaj started its activity in 2007 in the field of industrial technology, and since 2013 it has been producing components for the automotive industry. Over the past 15 years, the factory has been at the center of an extensive development process. Besides automotive sector, in Blaj we are manufacturing products for the Linear Technology, sector that continues to expand worldwide, from which Blaj plant also benefits. Currently, at the Blaj site, a team of experts is planning the expansion of the existing production halls for linear technology.
Automotive Tomorrow: In terms of risks management, taking into consideration the disruptions in the supply chain since Covid, what has changed in the company’s strategy towards suppliers and collaboration with customers in order to mitigate the risks?
Bernhard Gehlert: During pandemic, we have faced global lockdowns, on/off working mode, massive disruptions in the supply chain, consumers behavior changes, plus the semiconductor’s crisis. To address these disruptions, Bosch is focusing on smart work and flexibility of associates to cope with disruptions and on developing a local supply chain network that includes not only raw material suppliers but also local services suppliers.
Automotive Tomorrow: Attracting and retaining talent is a big topic for companies at the moment. What is Bosch plant in Blaj doing in terms of attracting and training talents and giving them the competences needed for the future?
Bernhard Gehlert: Finding and recruiting qualified personnel is challenging in the current business environment, especially when we are talking about a small town. To address this problem, we developed a multistage plan, focusing both on recruiting the existing professionals and on educating and training the future generations. Bosch links solid academic education to industryrelevant practical training, thus we offer different programs for students: paid summer internship, paid working student position and a two-year program, Student Smart Career, especially designed for the ones with excellent academic results.
Automotive Tomorrow: In Blaj you have your own dual education training center. How many young people have you trained in the center until now and what are your current needs in terms of new employees?
Bernhard Gehlert: Bosch Group is a reliable partner of local schools in the dual education project since 2013. To date, more than 500 students have prepared for their careers as mechanic and electronic technicians in Bosch Dual Schools in Cluj and Blaj. High-tech products and production processes require modern approach to learning. The students should have both practical and theoretical exercises and the teaching method should foster curiosity.
Automotive Tomorrow: What are the main threats for the development of the Romanian automotive industry now and in the future? How can Romania remain attractive for investors when is competing with other countries in the region for investments?
Bernhard Gehlert: Romania offers lots of possibilities for businesses to develop, has friendly creative people with an open mind. To remain competitive in a global market, a company needs fiscal and legislative predictability, an adequate infrastructure, as well as access to qualified labor force. Constant investments in education are very important to keep up with a fast-changing business environment and with the digitalization megatrend. Of course, also private companies should have their contribution to the educational system. Bosch bears a particular responsibility for employment and education and is involved in educational projects.
Bernhard Gehlert, Senior Vice President, Commercial Director Bosch plant in Blaj “Romania offers lots of possibilities for businesses to develop, has friendly creative people with an open mind. To remain competitive in a global market, a company needs fiscal and legislative predictability, an adequate infrastructure, as well as access to qualified labor force.”
