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HCI Group Announces Bigger ASTEP International Internship Program

10 April 2000

HCI Group Announces Bigger ASTEP International Internship Program After Successful Launch of First Program

      ASTEP (Automotive Supplier Trainee Exchange Program) Brings Young
        German Engineering Professionals to U.S. Automotive Suppliers


    DETROIT, April 7 After success of the first ASTEP
(Automotive Supplier Trainee Exchange Program), the HCI Group announced the
launch of a bigger second program.  The ASTEP program brings young German
engineers to work for automotive suppliers in the United States for three to
18 month internships.  The first program was launched in September 1999 and is
followed up by a larger program starting this month.
    With the automotive industry's market demand for engineering talent, ASTEP
brings German engineers to the United States to help meet this demand.  By
bringing international talent to the U.S., suppliers can address the
complexities of increasingly global engineering projects.  In the past two
months, more than 100 automotive supplier companies have expressed interest in
the program.
    An example of the program's success is Robert Hoelting, an ASTEP intern
who began in September 1999 an internship in the Product Development Group of
Grand Rapid, Michigan-based automotive supplier Paulstra CRC.  Starting in the
company's co-op program, he soon progressed and is currently doing full-
fledged product design work.
    "Robert has worked out very well.  He does engineering level work, on a
very cost-effective basis for us.  The ASTEP program is a two-way street in
that both Paulstra and Robert are benefiting," says Tim Rogge, Paulstra
Product Development Engineer.  In fact, if asked if he would recommend the
program to other suppliers, he states: "Yes, absolutely!"  Paulstra is
currently seeking another intern candidate through the ASTEP program.
    After an intern completes a program in the U.S., career opportunities may
exist with the company at its European operations, thus ASTEP provides the
supplier company with an excellent screening process.
    "These young German engineers earn real world experience and are given
assignments to contribute from the start," says Ronald Hesse, president of the
HCI Group, Ltd.  "For example, one of the engineer interns is a key member of
the DaimlerChrysler project team.  Another engineering intern is working as
part of the engineering liaison team, working between the supplier's U.S. and
European operations in Germany.
    Suppliers and engineer interns confirm the ASTEP program's tremendous
success.
    ASTEP, a joint venture between HCI Group and New York-based CDS
International provides opportunities for young German professionals, ages 22
to 30, to participate in internship trainee programs with U.S. automotive
supplier companies.  The trainee programs, lasting from three to 18 months,
foster greater understanding for relationships between U.S. and German (and
European) business.  CDS International is currently seeking both intern
candidates and employers to participate in the program starting in September
2000.
    While the globalization process continues at a blazing speed in the
automotive industry, suppliers need to increase their internal globalization
understanding and awareness.  Suppliers who participate in ASTEP get trainees
who hit the ground running and who are multi-lingual and understand the
business culture of Germany and Europe.  The trainee receives valuable
business and living experience in the U.S.  All interns are university
educated (equal to a Master's Degree in Applied Sciences) and have automotive
work experience.
    CDS International was founded as a non-profit organization in 1968.
Today, CDS typically serves over 1,000 individuals each year in a wide variety
of internship, fact-finding, and work-study programs, especially between the
United States and Germany.  CDS is also the U.S. representative of the Robert
Bosch Foundation Fellowship Program, a highly competitive work/study
fellowship in Germany for young professionals with graduate degrees.
    The Troy, Michigan-based HCI Group unites automotive supplier executives
with globalization products and services.  The company does this through the
EUROtalk, LATINtalk and AMERItalk newsletters, the http://www.GlobalAutoIndustry.com
web site, the GLOBALtools product catalog, One-on-One Meetings, Automotive
Globalization Seminars & Breakfast Briefings, and other informational,
educational and networking processes.