Best in France Project

Mercedes-Benz in France

Florence Anna Arndt Brambach Norman Leung Madoka Ogawa Alexander Droulers

Mercedes-Benz Molsheim

Historical Overview

 1967: Inauguration of “Centre de Molsheim” by Royal Elysées  1970: Creation of Mercedes-Benz France  1994: Incorporation of Mercedes-Benz Molsheim S.A.S.

Employees Key figures MB Molsheim DC France

387 3,068

DC Group

362,000

Turnover

€46.9 M €3,400 M €147,400 M

Main Activities (1/2)

 Vehicle Transformation – Chassis structure – Axles

Main Activities (2/2)

 Component Production

Principal Clients

 DaimlerChrysler Group  French retailers

Why did Mercedes-Benz come to France ?

A circumstance of history: An existing large imports site in Molsheim

However, there are several advantages…

 Lower costs of labour : For equivalent work, wages in Wörth are higher by 70% to nearly 100% than those in Molsheim  Low transportation costs

Adapting and Overcoming Obstacles

 Frequent strikes in France However: respect for social needs in MB Molsheim  The 35-Hour Week – Both parties benefited from it – No real adaptation when coming to France: more an adaptation today to German habits

Reverse Adaptations

 Germanisation of MBM – Language – Culture –  Distinction between criticising the person v. the work

Gruppenarbeit

– autonomous group structures

Advantages for Trucking

    High percentage of degrees awarded in science* – – 8% of all 24 yr olds 4 th after the UK, Finland, and South Korea Strong market for growth** – € 9.6 billion in 2002 – € 11.4 billion in 2007 Existing infrastructure Central location to European markets *Source : National Science Foundation, 2002 **Source : Datamonitor, Nov. 2003

France as a Centre of Innovation

 Globalisation and outsourcing  R&D and innovation centres – Ex. Research cluster in Rhône-Alpes – Ex. New concept of trucks with dual functions

Mercedes as an Example

 Historical Circumstances  Advantages and Adaptations  Outlook for France

Last words

We would like to thank:

Claude Burger, CFO of MBM Michael Segalla, PhD, and the whole Jury

Works Cited  Claude Burger  Mercedes-Benz Molsheim Presentation  National Science Foundation, “The United States in a Changing World”, 2002  Datamonitor, “Medium and Heavy Trucks in France”, November 2003