Interview with Kiekert AG

In an Interview withAndrea Kusemann, Executive Vice President, Human Resources

1.     In which market(s) does your company operate? What products / services does it offer?
Kiekert, the technological leader in locking systems for automobiles, and based in Heiligenhaus, Germany, is the number one choice for leading car manufacturers around the world. Kiekert produces, develops, and sells customized customer solutions around the clock in its seven production, six development, and three sales centers. Kiekert's core product - the side-door lock - covers all functions for all vehicle segments. These include groundbreaking inventions like the central locking system and the electro-mechanical servo lock. Kiekert is currently active in the following ten countries: Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, and the USA.

2.     How long has your company been active in China? In which locations in China is it currently active?
In 2008 Kiekert opened its first production and development site in Asia with its factory in Changshu. Four years later, in 2012, the technological leader doubled its production capacity at its location because of the constantly growing demand for its locking systems. Kiekert then purchased the Chinese production site in Zhengzhou in 2015 during its continued expansion and strategic market positioning.

3.     Why is your company also an attractive employer in Greater China?
Kiekert is also on a course for growth in China: Over the past years the technological leader has established a footing in the Chinese market and continued to expand its local presence. The foundation of the company's more than 150 years of success are Kiekert's 5,800-plus employees around the world. The efficiency, personal dedication, and enthusiasm of each of Kiekert's employees have made the company what it is today: The technological leader in automobile locking systems that sets the bar in the global automobile market with its innovations and product solutions. Kiekert is an attractive company that offers interesting perspectives.

4.    What skills are you looking for in a candidate for your China business?
In China Kiekert is mainly looking for employees with a technical background, such as product developers and quality engineers.

5.     Why are candidates with an EU-China background especially interesting for your company?
Kiekert's experiences have shown that Chinese employees who have studied and/or worked abroad integrate more easily into a Western company. Kiekert's values and quality standards are familiar to these employees and they are able to implement the requirements associated with these. Along with better comprehension at a linguistic level, the intercultural skills of such applicants are very valuable to Kiekert.