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HCI Group Launches 'Automotive Supplier Trainee Exchange Program'

28 September 1999

HCI Group Launches International 'Automotive Supplier Trainee Exchange Program'

                 First group of German prospective engineers
    start their internship program with Detroit area automotive suppliers

    DETROIT, Sept. 27 -- Five German prospective engineers are
learning firsthand what it's like to live in America and work with U.S. based
automotive suppliers as they begin the Automotive Supplier Trainee Exchange
Program (ASTEP) sponsored by the HCI Group, Ltd. and CDS International.
    ASTEP provides opportunities for young European professionals, ages 22 to
30, to participate in internship programs with U.S. automotive supplier
companies.  The internship programs, lasting from three to 18 months, foster
greater understanding of similarities and differences between U.S. and
European business practices, including aspects of culture, management
philosophy and operations.
    The first group of interns underwent a two-day orientation program earlier
this month in Detroit on living in the United States and working in the U.S.
automotive industry.  The interns received presentations from executives of
the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and CSM Worldwide, an automotive
market intelligence and forecasting firm.  In addition, the group toured
plants operated by DaimlerChrysler (Warren Stamping Plant), MNP Corporation
and Aetna Industries, and met with executives from those firms.
    The interns will work with Michigan automotive suppliers DCT, Inc. of
Warren, Petri, Inc. of Port Huron, Paulstra CRC Corporation of Grand Rapids
and Festo Automotive of Detroit.
    "With globalization accelerating in the automotive industry, as evidenced
by the recent DaimlerChrysler merger, automotive suppliers are moving
aggressively to increase their internal 'globalization' understanding and
awareness," said Ron Hesse, president of the HCI Group.  "Suppliers now can
tap young German and other European talent in business, technical and
engineering disciplines through internship trainee programs like ASTEP.
    "These internships will greatly benefit both the U.S. supplier companies,
as well as the young professionals, because suppliers get trainees who are
multi-lingual and understand the business culture of Germany and Europe, while
the trainee receives valuable business and living experience in the United
States."
    CDS International was founded as a non-profit organization in 1968.
Headquartered in New York, CDS typically serves over 1,000 individuals each
year in a wide variety of internship, fact-finding, and work-study programs.
    Chicago-based HCI Group unites automotive supplier executives with Global
Experts in a variety of important business and operational subject areas.  The
company unites executives with Global Experts through the EUROtalk, LATINtalk
and AMERItalk newsletters, Automotive Globalization Executive Seminars &
Breakfast Briefings, the http://www.globalautoindustry.com web site, the GLOBALtools
product catalog, One-on-One Meetings, and other informational, educational and
networking processes.