The Corporate Management exploits strategic synergies and enhances
the value of the entire company, securing cost advantages and
providing value by coordinating and harnessing resources and jointly
handling tasks.
Corporate Center
Corporate Management (Corporate Center) consists of two staff units, Corporate Finance and Controlling and Corporate Development, reporting to the President & CEO. Its task is to support the Corporation's industrial management. It plays a key role in satisfying shareholders' expectations with regard to corporate processes, transparency and corporate governance.
Tasks of the Corporate Management
Overall corporate optimisation
Optimum use of financial resources is a crucial factor in promoting the company's value-led development. With our powerful information systems and our know-how, we ensure time-critical financial management of the Corporation and support operational management. Financial reporting is systematised throughout the Corporation, thus ensuring immediate transparency. Currency, interest rate and credit risks are monitored and managed at the Corporation level. Joint purchasing, e.g. of energy and raw materials, is instrumental in optimising the company's earnings.
Strategy and growth
The Executive Committee regularly and systematically reviews the corporate portfolio in terms of value. It identifies, plans, structures and integrates acquisitions, alliances and market expansion on a global scale. Corporate Development evaluates and optimises strategic opportunities and risks, providing leads on development for both the Corporation and the strategic business units. It creates transparency for the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.
Pool of competencies
Strategically important competencies and information are linked and made available throughout the Corporation. The rapid transfer of best practices is ensured by the optimal and secure use of information technology based on an open and dynamic communication culture.
Human Resources Management
Succession planning and executive development for the Corporation as a whole are strategic tasks. Executives are assessed and selected globally and assigned to positions within the Corporation at the right time and in the right place. We promote an entrepreneurial mindset amongst our employees by means of a cooperative approach to management, with decentralised, clearly defined responsibilities, ongoing training and fair performance assessment and remuneration.
Corporate culture
A shared corporate culture is the basis for overall sustainable development and is becoming increasingly important with the spread of internationalisation. By conveying and implementing the company's fundamental values, the Executive Committee cultivates and fosters this corporate culture. Open, active and timely communication with employees, investors and the public creates credibility and trust.