Bernd Osterloh in the interview – boss must “sometimes even on the table”: VW works council boss demands of Diess taut leadership

04/19/2018

Interview with Bernd Osterloh – boss has to “hit the floor sometimes” VW works council chief demands from Diess tighter leadership

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Bernd Osterloh: “I do not need anyone to put Herbert Diess on the chain”

Volkswagen works council chief Bernd Osterloh expects the new boss Herbert Diess to streamline the group. He does not want a complete return to the old Volkswagen world, Osterloh told manager magazin, whose new issue is on Friday (20 April) in the trade. One could be an automaker with 642,000 employees and 12 brands though not lead democratically, explained Osterloh in the mm interview; “I’ve always said that, and I’ll stick to it.”

Herbert Diess now has to take care of the large synergy projects in the group. “This is his primary task, and this is also made easier by the new corporate structure,” said Osterloh.

Volkswagen bundles brands in new groups in the future. Among other things, Diess will personally lead a group with VW, Seat and Skoda. “So far, there is sometimes almost an internal competition, who comes to the highest development costs,” added Osterloh. That was very annoying.

The former CEO Matthias Müller also demanded the use of synergies. But if that’s not enough, “I also have to hit the table and get my way,” said Osterloh.

VW further open for own battery cell production

Osterloh repeated his demand, Volkswagen Show stock market chart must think again about the topic of battery cells. “We must not completely leave the production of battery cells to the Koreans and Chinese,” said the chairman of the works council manager magazin. The new CEO Diess was open to talk about cell production. Müller had refused.

Osterloh justified the choice of his hitherto closest colleague Gunnar Kilians as chief human resources officer, Kilian has qualities “that help the company, whether it is about strategy, communication or culture.” Kilian was previously Secretary General of the Works Council.

The major shareholders Porsche and Piëch had agreed that “Gunnar Kilian is a good choice”. Incidentally, he needs no one “to put Herbert Diess on the chain”. Given the strong position of employees at Volkswagen There are enough other ways to control the new CEO.

More economy first-hand? The above text is only a minimal part of the May issue of manager magazine. The new issue (and the next issue) you can here in the advantage offer order.Or browse here in the digital edition of the manager magazin.

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