Game, set and match - DEKRA Certification

Customer Magazine ISSUE 3.2014
Sol utions
Event staff at international sporting events
Game, set and match
32
Vehicle valuation for a car
hire company
20
Auditing of
secure lorry
parking lots
DEKRA SOLUTIONS
16
28
24
32
8
Picture credits
DEKRA: p. 3, p. 4 (H. van der Veer), p. 5–7, p. 11–12, p. 27; Küppers:
p. 5, p. 7, p. 14–15, p. 20–23, p. 34, cover; Augustin: p. 2, p. 9–11,
p. 24–33, cover; Martins de Oliveira: p. 13; BMVI: p. 4 (H.-P. Koenig); General Motors: p. 2 (J. F. Martin), p. 16, p. 18 (p. Fecht), p. 19 (J. F. Martin),
p. 19 (O. Phongpaothai); HDI Seguros: p. 12; MAN Diesel & Turbo: p. 10
(H. Dressler); Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche: p. 26 (Pressefoto Baumann/J. Rahn);
Opel: p. 18; Getty Images: p. 19 (Bloomberg), p. 19 (P. Morigi)
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ISSUE 3.2014
Editorial
SOLUTIONS, THE MAGAZINE
PRODUCED FOR DEKRA’S CUSTOMERS
Contents2
Imprint3
Portrait of Mary Teresa Barra
16
DEKRA SE
Editorial3
News4
DEKRA staff in portrait
34
DEKRA Automotive
Claims settlement for an insurance company
12
City portrait of Lyon
28
Stefan Kölbl,
Vehicle valuation for a car hire company
32
Chairman of the Board of Management DEKRA e. V. and DEKRA SE.
DEKRA Industrial
Explosion and fire protection for large diesel and gas engines
Auditing of secure lorry parking lots
8
20
DEKRA PERSONNEL
Trainees given a helping hand at a haulage company
14
Event staff at international sporting events
24
Imprint
Publisher: DEKRA e. V., Communication and Marketing
Responsible for the content: Stephan Heigl
Editing: Alexander Föll (responsible according to the press law), Dr Torsten Knödler,
Andreas Techel, Frank Jörger
Translation: Martina Wütz
Advertising Sales: Bettina Pfeffer
Proofreading: Birte Labs, Isabel Link, Monika Roller
Layout and Manufacturing: Frank Jörger, Götz Mannchen
Publication: ETMservices, ein Geschäftsbereich des ETM Verlages
EuroTransportMedia Verlags- und Veranstaltungs-GmbH,
Handwerkstraße 15, 70565 Stuttgart
E-mail: solutions@dekra.com
E
ver since the establishment of DEKRA
e.V. in 1925, safety has been our declared mission.
This is why our experts employ their know-how
every day to make the world a safer place. Just
as, for example, at MAN in Augsburg where they
certify fire and explosion protection and also the
functional safety of the engine test area. To make
sure that truck drivers and their cargo can spend
a peaceful night, DEKRA experts inspect the
security of special parking lots at service stations
across Europe.
Working with insurance companies can
also minimise risks. On behalf of HDI-Gerling in
Brazil our assessors record damage to buildings
caused by storms and flooding and thus contribute to a swift claims settlement.
You can also read an interesting portrait of
the new GM boss, Mary Barra, and find out more
about the ladies of our DEKRA Event & Logistic
Services who feature on the cover of this issue and
who competently look after guests at the Porsche
Tennis Grand Prix.
I wish you an enjoyable read. ‹
Printed by Dierichs Druck + Media GmbH & Co. KG, Kassel
Article Number: 83232, Solutions 3.2014
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DEKRA SOLUTIONS
International Transport Forum in Leipzig
Noble vision
An assessment of the accident
statistics for 17 European countries from
2009 to 2012 carried out by DEKRA
Accident Research shows that a total of
462 towns and cities with over 50,000
inhabitants achieved a total of zero traffic fatalities at least once in this period.
These cities make up more than 40% of
all the cities of that size in the countries
examined. Sixteen cities recorded no
traffic fatalities throughout the examined period, one of them in Norway,
six in Germany and nine in the United
Kingdom. From these figures it can be
seen that “Vision Zero” is not an illusion.
An online tool presented by DEKRA
at the International Transport Forum
(ITF) in Leipzig shows which cities in
Europe have been working successfully
at improving road safety. ❮
Dorothee Bär, Parliamentary Secretary of State, José Viegas, Secretary-General of the ITF,
and Clemens Klinke, Member of the DEKRA Board, (from the left) at the ITF in Leipzig.
DEKRA Laboratory in Arnhem
Ceremonial opening
A
s part of its planned expansion
of capacities in the field of product testing,
DEKRA has opened a new cutting-edge
laboratory in Arnhem, the Netherlands.
The building complex is situated close
to the A12 motorway and comprises
14,000 m2 of office and laboratory space
for 350 experts. A new addition is the
4,000 m2 testing hall that has a ceiling
height of up to 12 m and accommodates
various laboratories with ultra-modern
equipment for product tests that focus
on electrical safety, durability and fitness
for use. After Germany and France, the
Netherlands is the third-largest market
for DEKRA. The product testing business
is one of the most important growth drivers for the DEKRA Group. ❮
4
The new laboratory is strengthening the Arnhem site as a competence centre and the headquarters for DEKRA’s global activities in the Product Testing and Certification business unit.
ISSUE 3.2014
Auto Mobil International trade fair in Leipzig
Forbidden distraction
Three per cent of all car driv-
ers in Germany have their cell phones
pressed to their ear instead of using a
hands-free device when driving. That is
the result of a nationwide survey on distractions at the wheel in which DEKRA
observed more than 10,000 motorists. The monitoring teams were active
both in urban areas and on rural roads
and motorways on all days of the week.
The number of cell phone users at the
wheel is higher among men than among
women. On workdays, the distraction
ratio is noticeably higher than at the
weekend. Talking on the phone without a
hands-free device and writing text messages or similar behaviour while driving
are forbidden and bring with it a 60 euro
fine and an endorsement in the driver’s
licence. ❮
A cell phone in the hand increases the risk of an accident. Studies show that phoning
car drivers are distracted from traffic and have a longer reaction time.
DEKRA SafetyCheck 2014
Cost-free campaign
A
s in previous years DEKRA
has once again teamed up with the German Association for the Prevention of
Road Accidents and the German Road
Safety Council to offer young motorists a
free-of-charge safety check of their vehicles. Running under the slogan of “Safety
checked – relaxed driving”, the aim of the
campaign is to reduce the accident risk
faced by young motorists and to sensitise
them to the risks that older cars and poor
maintenance generate. Sponsored by the
Federal Minister for Transport Alexander Dobrindt and offered at its 76 centres
across the country, DEKRA’s SafetyCheck
2014 took place between 2nd June and 11th
July and covered all safety-relevant components such as brakes, chassis and tyres. ❮
The cars of young motorists are on average significantly older than the general stock
and are characterised by a fault quota that is well above average.
5
DEKRA SOLUTIONS
DEKRA Job Market Report 2014
DEKRA Akademie GmbH
DEKR A
2014
ARbEitsmARKt- REpoRt
e auf der Basis
Qualifikationsbedarfsanalys
ngeboten
von mehr als 15.100 Stellena
News in Brief
❯
Uniform settlement
❯
Awarded Application
❯
Animated test
From now on HDI-Gerling Industrie Versicherung
AG and DEKRA Claims Services GmbH will be
cooperating with Daimler Insurance Services
GmbH in 41 countries in processing transport
claims in a service-focused approach, which also
takes account of local conditions. Globally uniform claims processing with central control is
assisted by a web-based online tool and creates
new opportunities directed towards evaluating
claims and implementing measures to reduce
losses.
Again the DEKRA Award recognises top business achievements in the three categories safety,
environment and health. Companies can apply
until 30th September 2014 for the award, which
DEKRA awards together with “Wirtschaftswoche”, Germany’s leading business magazine.
Further information and application forms can be
found here www.dekra-award.de.
Good times
T
he upbeat mood in the German economy is spreading to the job market. The DEKRA
Job Market Report for 2014 shows that companies are doubling their efforts to fill positions in
their sales and IT departments. And not only that,
job-seekers too have the possibility to choose
from numerous posts in areas such as financial controlling and warehouse logistics. In contrast, the proportion of vacancies for nurses and
doctors has declined. DEKRA Academy analysed job adverts in print
publications, online job sites and one social network for the DEKRA
Job Market Report. The 15,111 vacancies assessed during the survey
period from 17th to 23rd February were distributed over a total of 214
professions and activities. This time round in-depth analyses looked
at professions in the fields of “warehouse logistics” and “occupational
safety”. The DEKRA Job Market Report 2014 can be obtained free of
charge by sending an email to service.akademie@dekra.com. ❮
April 2014 saw the introduction of realistic computer-animated video sequences as a part of
the theoretical driving licence test. A film lasting about 15 seconds in each case illustrates the
respective road situation in two test questions.
The driving licence candidates then receive the
questions and must, as usual, select from three
possible answers.
The question will not be handed to the candidate
until he has seen the video.
6
ISSUE 3.2014
Ten millionth driving licence
Exam success
Since 1990, DEKRA has been
responsible for driving licence exams in
the six eastern federal states of G
­ ermany.
On average, the examiners carry out
more than 400,000 tests every year. In
mid-July 2014, 17-year-old Axel Geick
in Schwerin took his driving licence
test for accompanied driving at the age
of 17. At the same time, it was also the
ten ­millionth practical driving test that
DEKRA had conducted. Statistically,
one in two inhabitants in eastern Germany has acquired his or her driving
licence in a test conducted by DEKRA.
To constantly develop and improve the
procedures for the theoretical and practical driving licence test DEKRA works
closely with authorities, driving schools
and testing organisations in the other
federal states. ❮
Minister Christian Pegel (2nd from the right) congratulates the examinée Axel Geick (left)
from Schwerin on having successfully passed his test for accompanied driving at age 17.
Crash tests in Wildhaus
Accompanied development
A
XA and DEKRA have been
accompanying and shaping the transformation of road safety by staging
crash tests in Wildhaus in Switzerland
for around 30 years now. The following
three central topics have predominated
during this period: the safety belt, which
is still deemed to be the primary lifesaver
today, the safety of children and driver
assistance systems such as ABS, ESP and
the like. In this year’s crash tests AXA
and DEKRA compared old cars with
their current successor models. This
meant that the positive development of
passive safety systems was clear to see.
Future objective: modern vehicles with
active driver assistance systems that help
to prevent collisions. ❮
Around 800 guests of AXA and DEKRA witnessed this side-on collision of a motorcycle
and a car at its crash tests staged in Wildhaus in Switzerland.
7
DEKRA SOLUTIONS
Explosion and fire protection
for large diesel and gas engines
Fast switch
In order to ensure the greatest possible level of safety for their huge
engine testing area at the Augsburg plant, MAN Diesel and Turbo SE
rely on the explosion and fire protection experts at DEKRA EXAM.
Walking through the large engine plant
of MAN in Augsburg can make you feel like Gulliver in the land of the giants: valves as big as the
palm of your hand, metre long, gleaming connecting rods and gigantic pistons on pallets line the
route through the production hall. The cylinders
in which they will one day serve each have up to
480 mm bores and a stroke of 600 mm. The diesel and gas engines, which are destined for ships
and power stations and are put through their
test runs here, can have up to 20 cylinders. The
massive engines stand as high as houses in the
test stand halls. The only way that the mechanics
and engineers responsible for them can perform
maintenance work on many of the components
is via galleries. A myriad of colour-coded pipes
and tubes feed the engines: coolant flows through
the green ones and oil in the brown ones; orange
stands for diesel fuel and yellow for gas.
Built in the early 19th century, the building
that is part of the large MAN engine plant in the
middle of Augsburg houses test stands which are
used to carry out tests and approval procedures
for customer engines and prototypes. “It was here
in this place that Rudolf Diesel put the world’s
first diesel engine into operation,” stresses Kilian
Stegmair, Head of Test Stand Technology, on the
tour through the factory halls, and you can notice
a touch of pride in his voice.
Once the people from the late shift have
gone home and all engines are turned off, he
accompanies the team of DEKRA EXAM experts
8
who are there to test and afterwards certify the
safety-related control system of the test stands and
hall systems. This is because, in contrast to modern buildings, MAN has specific fire and explosion
protection requirements that need to apply within
the building’s historic walls. “Should one area of
the enormous factory hall catch fire or have a leak
in one of the gas supply lines, a cleverly devised
mechanism must kick into operation and shut
down and de-energise the individual or – in the
event of a general alarm – all the test stands, engines
including all measuring and regulation systems, air
conditioning and heating systems and cranes in
fractions of a second,” says Stegmair. Afterwards
the automatic fire extinguishers are triggered, the
fuel feed capped and all gas pipes of the test stand
facility and the engines rinsed with nitrogen.
However, DEKRA expert Marc Kipping
not only checks and certifies the functional safety
of the emergency stop system, he also provided
expert advice to MAN beforehand. Together they
decided on the safety-related programmable logic
controller, SPLC in short, which performs its failsafe service and ensures greater safety at the test
stand. “With this they have definitively accompanied us in the right direction,” praises Stegmair.
Even if one component or the entire control system fails, a backup system set up in parallel can
perform the shutdown in case of emergency. “You
can regard the SPLC as a kind of central nervous
system with which and in which all the machines
are linked with one another,” explains Kipping. ❯
ISSUE 3.2014
1
9
DEKRA SOLUTIONS
2
3
10
ISSUE 3.2014
❯ DEKRA EXAM also advises the MAN
team on matters of safety when it comes to the
engine test stands and the engines themselves.
Specialists in machine safety keep an eye on possible risks when dealing with the power plants and
ensure that they conform to the latest CE directives. Again, Stegmair is full of praise: “This collaboration means that DEKRA EXAM can make
a significant contribution to the training of the
MAN staff as regards fire and explosion protection, machine safety as well as function safety.”
In order to check the alarm systems and
the simultaneous shutdown of the engine test
stands in real-life conditions, Kipping gets someone to start up a 20-cylinder engine. Earmuffs are
distributed as the noise produced when the power
plant is started up is really deafening. When the
starter button is pressed, the entire engine block
starts to vibrate. Once the drive load has been
taken up, Kipping presses another button, this
time a red “Emergency Stop” button located on a
nearby post – whereupon the engine is immediately silenced again. The words “Emergency Stop
Test Facility” are shown on an LED display under
the control centre and a loud alarm signal can be
heard. It is now up to Kipping and his colleague,
Oussama Cherichi, to open all the control cabinets near the engine and to document the states of
operation with a camera.
After an exhausting night shift for everyone involved with many switching on and off
operations and alarms, one thing is evident: MAN
Diesel and Turbo SE is not only a leader in engineering technology, but also in fire and explosion
protection as well as the subject machine safety
for the engine testing area in Augsburg.
❮ Alexander Föll
“When it comes to functional safety,
DEKRA EXAM has accompanied us in
the right direction!”
Kilian Stegmair, Head of Test Stand Technology,
MAN Diesel & Turbo SE.
1
The engine block of the large MAN engine
is surrounded by a maintenance gallery.
The 1.5 t drive train is connected with the
dynamometer via an elastic coupling.
2
DEKRA engineer Marc Kipping brings the
20 cylinder MAN diesel engine to a halt by
pressing the emergency shutdown switch.
The simulated alarm procedure shows the
expert if the test stand is functionally safe.
3
The diesel and gas engines produced by
MAN can be found in the world’s largest
container ships such as the “Alexander
Maersk”. They generate up to 100,000 hp
or 73,500 kW depending on the model.
Contact
Marc Kipping
Head of Functional Safety & Processes
DEKRA EXAM GmbH
Phone +49.7 11. 78 61-34 60
Fax +49.7 11. 78 61-34 90
E-mail marc.kipping@dekra.com
11
DEKRA SOLUTIONS
Claims settlement for an insurance company
All in one package
In Brazil, DEKRA is supporting the insurer HDI Seguros S.A.
in developing the market for household contents insurance.
A
part from their joie de vivre and their
love of football, Brazilians are also known for their
passion for cars and for wanting to own a home.
Although valuable assets, they are dealt with
completely differently in Brazil when it comes to
insurance. Whoever buys a car takes out an insurance policy immediately. That’s not the case with
real estate. However, things have started to change
over the past few years, firstly, because of climate
change and its effects on the Brazilian urban centres, and secondly, on account of the booming
property market.
In light of this development, the German
insurance company HDI has put together the HDI
“DEKRA has helped us to develop
a solution for insuring the risks to
household contents!”
Murilo Setti Riedel, Vice President,
HDI Seguros S.A.
Contact
José Roberto Macéa
President
Jopema Ltda.
Phone+55.11.20 65-41 00
Fax +55.11.20 65-41 27
E-mail roberto@jopema.com.br
12
DUO model, which combines vehicle and household contents insurance all in one package. The
experts at DEKRA Jopema, who have many years
of experience in working together with HDI in
settling car damage claims, are helping the insurer
to develop this novel product. “DEKRA has presented us with the only possible solution for
household goods insurance,” explains Murilo Setti
Riedel, Vice President of HDI in Brazil and by this
means the automated collation of technical data
required for settlement. The result is an accelerated settlement procedure. For example, electrical damage reported by phone, which makes up
50 per cent of cases in Brazil, can be processed
within 24 hours.
Nonetheless, when more substantial sums
are involved, it is essential for an expert to inspect
the site in person. Examples of this would be the
destruction of property by fire, damage caused
by floods or landslides but also roofs torn off by
storm or heavy rainfall. If a policyholder reports
this sort of damage, DEKRA arranges a date for
an expert, equipped with camera and notebook, to
visit the site and document the damage in detail.
He then sends the information gathered via the
internet to the analysis department, which in turn
uses it to draw up an assessment and concluding
report for the insurance company within 48 hours.
“Policyholders must be able to see the benefits of having insurance as soon as possible. Our
system ensures this,” states José Roberto Macéa,
President of the DEKRA subsidiary Jopema in
Brazil. In the Brazilian summer, the claims settlement work has increased by 50 per cent during the
rainy season. “This shows that we are going in the
right direction,” says Macéa.
❮ Cecilia Degen
ISSUE 3.2014
1
1
2
3
During his on-site visit, the DEKRA
expert writes a detailed report of the
damage caused and sends it via the
Internet to the analysis department
of HDI.
2
The tropical heat and also the high
humidity of the Brazilian climate favour
the formation of thunderstorms which
can cause damage to buildings through
lightning strikes.
3
DEKRA employee Flavio Marqui takes
photographs of the damage, which later
help the claims processors of HDI when
preparing an appraisal and the final
report.
13
DEKRA SOLUTIONS
1
1
Modern trucks not only have a lot of horsepower under the bonnet, but also a whole
load of technology, too. Trainer Christian
Eckel (left) patiently lets the future professional drivers in on the secrets.
2
Every member of the team possesses
untapped talent. DEKRA Coach Rebecca
Schacht (left) helps to find it and explains
to the employees and their superiors
how this can be targeted and fostered.
14
2
ISSUE 3.2014
Trainees given a helping hand at a haulage company
Heading in the right direction
A haulage company operating on the European stage finds itself
taking new paths on a daily basis. However, Alfred Schuon GmbH
is also heading in new directions with its trainees and is aiming to
develop their potential with the aid of the DEKRA Academy.
M
“
ale or female wanted, needs to have
school certificates, driving licence and like driving.” This is what the ideal candidate for professional driver training looks like for Christian
Eckels. The instructor at the Schuon haulage company based in Haiterbach is currently supervising
eight new “truckers”; his colleague Judith Singer is
responsible for another ten trainees in the office,
warehouse and workshop. There are recruitment
concerns generally, especially with drivers. The
far from ideal image of the profession along with
the remoteness of the company site and deployment across Europe makes the job difficult to
square with club activities or weekend plans. And
the competition isn’t sleeping either. “Some firms
are seeking to entice trainees by offering expensive gifts or impossible promises,” says company
boss Theo Schuon. But he is not one to resort to
such tactics. He prefers to rely on what has turned
the family-run business from a one-man operation into an international haulage company with
a fleet of 170 vehicles and 190 employees: a pleasant working atmosphere, high-quality technology
and good working conditions. “You won’t find
anybody scrubbing down his truck at the weekend
in our firm,” says Schuon.
However, that still doesn’t solve the
recruitment problem. Which is why Schuon
is not only trying to give weaker candidates a
chance, but to specifically help them, too. To do
this, the company asked the DEKRA Academy to
make an analysis of potential. “Every trainee was
given 240 statements and asked to give his opinion on each of them. The answers can be used to
extrapolate competence values, for example, for
stress tolerance or precision,” explains DEKRA
“With the help of the DEKRA
Academy we are getting the best
out of our trainees!”
Theo Schuon, Managing Director,
Alfred Schuon GmbH.
Coach Rebecca Schacht. She compares the values
with the professional profile in order to give the
instructors concrete tips on how to help trainees.
In addition, she discusses the personal profile and
the development potential with the trainees themselves. It may sound complicated, but it works in
practice. “If somebody finds it difficult to understand explanations, I simply make a sketch of the
problem,” says Eckel. And the trainees have also
had their moments when the penny has dropped.
Sometimes the self-estimation lies far from the
recorded value, sometimes the test reveals a
potential that the candidate had no inkling of.
“The trainees feel appreciated and the instructors
glean valuable information,” praises Schuon.
❮ Bettina Bernhard
Contact
Rebecca Schacht
Product Development | HR Services
DEKRA Akademie GmbH
Phone +49.4 51.29 07 62-14
Fax +49.4 51.29 07 62-15
E-mail rebecca.schacht@dekra.com
15
DEKRA SOLUTIONS
Portrait of Mary Teresa Barra
Manager, Power, Motors
Mary Barra has already put one cliché to bed. Since taking over at General Motors,
car making has ceased to be the sole preserve of men. Now she wants to prove that
the Americans can build cars that are equally as good as German ones.
On 8
June 2009, an automobile history legend disappeared from the scene on Wall Street. After more than a
century, General Motors is no longer in the list of US companies that determines the Dow Jones share index. The second
largest car manufacturer in the world, which made history
with its makes of Cadillac, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, GMC, Buick,
Chevrolet and Opel, is bust.
16
th
However, its demise has also marked its rebirth. The
government provided 51 billion dollars to prevent the ultimate downfall of the car giant. Now it is a case of rigorously
restructuring the company and CEO Daniel Akerson enlisted
the aid of one of his most promising talents. He appointed
the electrical engineer Mary Barra to the Board. She has been
in the company for 28 years and is set to take on one of the
ISSUE 3.2014
1
Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors, presented
1
the new Chevrolet Trax, a compact SUV, in New York
in mid-April 2014.
❯
Mary Teresa Barra
Born:24th December 1961 in Waterford,
Michigan, USA
Family:
Married, two children
Profession:
Chief Executive Officer of General Motors
Hobby:
Corvette driving
Career:
1980-1985 Studied electrical engineering at Kettering
University in Flint, Michigan, USA
1985
First job at General Motors as an engineer
for Pontiac
1989-1990 MBA studies at the Stanford School of
Business, California, USA
1990-2009 Various management duties, including Executive Officer of General Motors Canada and
Assistant to the Management Board
2009
Appointed to the Group’s Board of Managing
Directors as Chief Human Resources Officer
2011
Head of Product Development
since 2014 Chief Executive Officer of General Motors
key positions that will take the company in a new direction.
“The fact that General Motors has already started to be profitable was in no small part down to Mary,” says Akerson who
handed his post on to Barra in January 2014.
In Detroit, America’s gigantic car metropolis, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler have ruled people’s lives for
generations. Mary Barra also declares a passion for cars. She
says she was born a car fanatic, “probably simply because my
father had worked his entire life in the Pontiac production
halls.” And for her cars were always more than a nice little red
runabout. She wants to take cars apart and understand every
last nut and bolt. It was therefore fairly clear as a teenager that
she would later follow an automotive engineering career at
GM. Blessed with a love of cars and a downright steely determination to get her own way, Mary Barry has pursued her
career, graduated from Stanford University, studied management into the bargain and brought up two children. ❯
17
DEKRA SOLUTIONS
2
3
2
In her Spring Commencement speech held in May
2014, Mary Barra encouraged graduates of the University of Michigan to be open to new and unexpected
opportunities in life.
3
At the end of January 2014, her first trip abroad took
the newly appointed CEO to Germany to visit the Opel
plant in Rüsselsheim with Vice President Dan Ammann
(right).
❯ When Mary joined the board as human resources
director in 2009, she introduced a completely new company
culture. The male dominated car world of GM had hitherto
been ruled by strict hierarchies and an occasional gruff manner. Barra in contrast insists on communication and consensus. For her the company is like a family “that can only be
strong and successful if it works as a unit”. With her balanced
approach she has also managed to inject new direction into
the GM model policy. She cut the number of model ranges to
reduce costs and instead of producing the same testosterone
fuelled cars simply with even more horsepower has listened
to customers and backed technical innovation and first class
quality. GM has developed an electric car and the Chevrolet
Sonic, a US version of the VW Golf.
All the signs suggest that Mary Barra has initiated a significant change in trend in the American car sector. The cars
18
4
Together with daughter Rachel and husband Tony, the
mother of two went to a charity event at the 2014 Auto
Show in Detroit.
5
Corvette fan Barra and US Vice President Joe Biden
were highly impressed by the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, so far the sleekest version of the American
sports car.
6
In October 2013, the career woman was interviewed
by TV journalist Rebecca Quick at the FORTUNE Most
Powerful Women Summit.
7
During her visit to Thailand in February 2014, Barra
attended a cultural ceremony to mark the one millionth
GM vehicle manufactured at the Rayong plant as a
sign of respect for the employees.
ISSUE 3.2014
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5
6
7
that rolled off the production lines over the past fifty years in
Detroit were not the embodiment of a high quality consumer
product, but were the vehicles to reflect the “American dream”.
No matter whether pickup truck, Mustang, Chevrolet or Cadillac, US automobiles stand for the land of boundless opportunity.
Mary Barra is the first American car manager who
considers innovation and quality standards at least as important as the right advertising slogan. And to underscore the
point, when she was appointed CEO in January 2014 she
immediately flew to Opel in Germany and promised the 3,300
employees of the hard-hit GM subsidiary her full backing.
The brand remains an important component of the group, not
least because of Opel’s technical superiority.
The fact that she is steering General Motors in the
right direction can be witnessed by the first major problem
that Barra had to negotiate as boss. A faulty GM ignition
switch has led to a number of fatal road accidents. Nevertheless, GM managers had covered up the problem instead of
starting a recall campaign despite knowledge of the problem.
Barra faced up to the criticism and assumed full responsibility. Although the matter is far from being settled, General
Motors shares ride high on Wall Street. Investors trust Mary
Barra. Sales are developing nicely and a pre-tax profit of seven
billion dollars last year means the carmaker can now pay a
dividend for the first time since 2008.
Although she is giving General Motors a good
shake-up, she has changed nothing in her own life. She may
well now enjoy an annual salary of around five million dollars, but still has no intention of moving the family of four out
of its unobtrusive detached home with double garage. And
when Barra needs to relax, she takes her Corvette for a spin
and simply enjoys the roar of the engine.
❮ Theodor Nagel
19
DEKRA SOLUTIONS
Auditing of secure lorry parking lots
Cosy cab and
peace of mind
20
ISSUE 3.2014
A tight-meshed network of secure
lorry parking lots covering the
whole of Europe is the avowed
aim of ESPORG, the European
Secure Parking Organisation,
which is committed to offering
better protection to both drivers
and their cargo.
An articulated lorry slowly rolls up to
the entrance that is secured with a fast-action
roller shutter door, a barrier and heavy concrete
bollards. The driver leans out of his cab, presses
a button and obtains his parking ticket. This also
triggers the camera system which scans his face,
the number plate of the traction unit and also
stores both side views of the trailer on the video
monitoring system. The personnel at the counter inside the petrol station can observe what is
happening on a screen. Only then is the door set
in motion and the driver can drive into the lorry
park, which is protected by a 2.40 m high security
fence. The door closes as soon as the vehicle has
crossed the threshold.
This process takes place repeatedly
throughout the late afternoon and evening, and
thus the secure lorry park at the service station
in Wörnitz near Motorway 7 gradually fills up.
Drivers and their lorries including their expensive cargo can spend the night here undisturbed.
The lighting removes all dark corners, while the
electronic eyes of the four dome cameras tirelessly
scan the area. Only a parking ticket holder can
gain access – and even this is carefully observed. ❯
1
Keep criminals out is the guiding principle
of the European Secure Parking Organisation ESPORG. Secure parking spaces for
1
lorries, like here in Wörnitz, are increasingly in demand.
21
DEKRA SOLUTIONS
2
6
2
Barriers and gate only allow one lorry to
pass at a time. Cars or vans won’t make
it through the automatic check.
3
4
DEKRA auditor Sorosh Hatami inspects the
ticket dispenser used by the lorry drivers.
The camera monitoring the entire facility
is another essential feature that the
DEKRA experts take into account in their
exacting audit.
5
Apart from facilities in Germany, DEKRA
has already audited secure car parks in
Denmark, Belgium, France and Spain.
6
At the cash desk a member of the service
staff can check the identity of both the
driver and the vehicle by means of data
recording.
22
3
❯ According to the EU, the economy loses
more than eight billion euros a year due to the theft
of valuable goods in transit. No matter whether
we are talking about electronic articles, brandname products from the textile sector, tobacco,
spirits, medical products or research equipment:
if it’s movable, it’s at risk. Well organised criminal
groups operate throughout the country, stealing
to order. The goods disappear immediately, and
the authorities hardly stand a chance. Goods theft
is also increasingly turning into violent hold-ups.
Ronny Pflug, the owner of the Wörnitz service station, is the driving force behind ESPORG.
He teamed up with Dirk Penasse from Lorrystop
26 in Zolder, Belgium and together they founded
the European Secure Parking Organisation in
April 2010. Their aim is to run a pan-­European
network of special lorry parking lots that guarantee a high level of security. “I come from a haulage family background and know the problem all
too well. This was why I took part in an EU pilot
project back in 2009 and helped to develop and
build this facility in Wörnitz,” explains Pflug. “Yet,
the project ran its course and I was left wondering how we could push on. It was around this time
that Dirk came on the scene. He, too, had invested
in a similar lorry park and we decided to join
forces.” They put together their concept at TAPA.
The Transported Asset Protection Association is
an amalgamation of international manufacturers,
logistics services, freight companies and prosecution authorities. According to monthly TAPA sta-
ISSUE 3.2014
4
tistics, more than 40 per cent of the recorded thefts
take place on unsecured lorry parks. “It is here
that large potential for improvement is to be had,
but as individuals we could not become members
of TAPA,” recalls Pflug. The problem was solved by
the establishment of ESPORG. In the meantime, a
further 40 service stations have joined the organisation and this figure is rising all the time.
But what are the criteria for an ESPORG car
park? Pflug describes the process: “DEKRA came
on board two years ago. Until then there had been
a complete lack of statutory guidelines or stipulations. Understandably so, as this type of lorry
park had not previously existed anywhere.” Working with Sorosh Hatami and his team at DEKRA
Certification, ESPORG drew up an extensive
­catalogue of criteria which DEKRA experts could
apply at the service stations. “We also developed
the requisite software that enables us to produce
a digital report containing image material. This
means we are capable of amply documenting all
aspects of the site. Different structural solutions
can nevertheless fulfil the standard. ESPORG and
we are keen to extend our learning curve in this
regard. It calls for a constant exchange of information between all those involved on the project,”
explains Hatami. The DEKRA experts inspected
things such as fencing, security devices, lighting,
entrances and exits both for vehicles and people,
monitoring systems, training and equipping of the
personnel, data recording and data processing as
well as emergency plans and measures as appro-
5
priate. After a successful audit, the service station
can receive ESPORG certification, which certifies
it officially as complying with the corresponding
standard. “We are very pleasantly surprised about
the positive feedback we have received and about
how many people in the industry, both here and
abroad, have since asked us for our expertise,”
says Pflug referring to last year. “I hope ESPORG
can do its bit to put a stop to organised crime.”
❮ Sandra Moser
“DEKRA is reliable, has an international
reputation and also has the know-how
needed to tackle exceptional projects!”
Ronny Pflug, Vice Chairman at ESPORG,
Owner of the Wörnitz service station.
Contact
Sorosh Hatami
Project Manager
DEKRA Certification GmbH
Phone +49.7 11. 78 61-34 85
Fax +49.7 11. 78 61-26 15
E-mail sorosh.hatami@dekra.com
23
DEKRA SOLUTIONS
1
24
ISSUE 3.2014
2
Event staff at international sporting events
Game, set and match
Held in Stuttgart from 19th to 27th April 2014, the 37th Porsche Tennis
Grand Prix attracted the world’s best tennis players. People naturally
expected much from the event and this also extended to the event service
in the Porsche Arena. In action for the fourth time: the hostesses from
DEKRA Event & Logistic Services.
T
hings can really hot up quickly in the
ladies singles final. Balls whiz to and fro as 4,500
spectators look on with bated breath – but at long
last, after 2:03 hours of play, wild jubilation breaks
the tension in the hall. For the third time in a row,
the winner of the Stuttgart WTA Tournament is
Maria Sharapova. In a high powered match lasting three sets the former world number one has
come out on top against the former French Open
champion Ana Ivanovic. And this means that
the 27-year-old Russian can now take her place
among the ranks of international tennis legends
such as Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin or
Martina Hingis.
The “Porsche Grand Prix” has been synonymous with top quality women’s tennis since
1978. And the expectations of the international
spectators are equally high. During the seven
tournament days a total of 37,000 spectators want
to stay on top of the action, enjoy first class catering and be superbly entertained. A Herculean task
which tournament director Markus Günthardt
has successfully taken on for a decade now. “The
general public at major WTA tournaments is very
demanding and expects premium service in every
respect,” says Markus Günthardt. “We are part of
a series of long-established tournaments around
the globe and are delighted that the whole world
pays a visit to the Porsche Arena for a few days.”
However, it is all the more important to have
­professional and engaging event staff to welcome
them. ❯
25
DEKRA SOLUTIONS
3
4
“Over the past years, we have always been
very satisfied with the staff from DEKRA
Event & Logistic Services!”
Markus Günthardt, Tournament Director,
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
❯ On match days, 25 hostesses from
DEKRA Event & Logistic Services are in action
attending to the well-being of the event visitors in
more than ten languages. “Our high-calibre event
also calls for high-calibre staff,” says Günthardt.
“And over the past years we have always been
very satisfied with the staff from DEKRA Event &
Logistic Services.”
The experienced DEKRA hostesses have
five roles to play at this year’s tournament.
Apart from manning the reception desk, where
they welcome guests and distribute VIP wristbands, they are also deployed at the reservation
desk, the admission barriers as well as, naturally
enough, at the court and the lavishly arranged
VIP sector.
26
The hostesses in the Porsche Arena need
to prepare intensively for their day’s work and
take up position well over an hour before the hall
opens its doors. It is here that they also receive
the uniform for their role: a tasteful ensemble of a
classic black skirt, stylish blouse, elegant scarf and
green cardigan. A quilted jacket in lush green is
on hand for cooler temperatures.
After changing, there is a final briefing
with all the important information for the day’s
schedule: which positions are to be occupied today
and with how many people? Is there anything
special happening on this particular tournament
day? What needs to be attended to in the Porsche
VIP Hospitality area with its three lounges? But
the information can be of a more general nature,
too: how do you stay friendly and professional
when dealing with guests trying to gain unauthorised access to the 750 square metre VIP area?
“Every day brings new challenges,” explains Sonja
Sgourakis, Area Manager at DEKRA Event &
Logistic Services GmbH. “And the general public
also changes from day to day. For example, during
the week the crowd is made up of sports fans and
business partners, whereas the weekends attract
more families.” The different types of guests must
be perfectly looked after in every situation – this
ISSUE 3.2014
5
1
Hostesses of DEKRA Event & Logistic
Services look after all the international
visitors at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
in Stuttgart.
2
Also right at the court the friendly ladies of
DEKRA take care of guests from all over the
world and accompany them to their seats.
3
The service clothing in fresh green, white
and black is perfectly matched to the
exclusive ambience as well as the different
temperatures on site.
4
Before every match the team leader informs
the DEKRA hostesses in detail about the
procedure and the tasks assigned to them.
5
ranges from providing speedy travel information
to the airport, to finding nappy changing facilities
for the youngest visitors. It is a good job that the
trained hostesses can rely on a wealth of experience gleaned at international fairs, conferences,
advertising campaigns or VIP events such as the
German Bambi film awards.
Well over two hours after the decisive
match ball, the deployment at the Grand Prix is
slowly coming to an end. The crowds of spectators
in the Porsche Arena are thinning and the hostesses only have one last debriefing session where
they might also find out what awaits them at their
next event, naturally undertaken with a professionally executed ace of a service.
❮ Michael Zühlke
terfully direct the matches at the Porsche
of the international spectators.
At the reception desk hostesses welcome
visitors and hand out the VIP wristbands
the colour of which changes daily.
7
7
The umpires sponsored by DEKRA masTennis Grand Prix, adding to the enjoyment
6
6
It is already the fourth time that the DEKRA
Event & Logistic team works with Tourna-
Contact
Sonja Sgourakis
Area Manager
DEKRA Event & Logistic Services GmbH
Phone +49.2 11.22 95 07-42
Fax +49.2 11.22 95 07-49
E-mail sonja.sgourakis@dekra.com
ment Director Markus Günthardt.
27
DEKRA SOLUTIONS
City portrait of Lyon
Back alleys, bistros
and bons vivants
Culinary delights as far as the eye can see; the largest renaissance quarter still intact
in France, the birth place of the French puppet Guignol, the city of silk, UNESCO world
heritage site: Lyon has many faces and a lifestyle to hold its visitors enthralled.
C
“
hildren, close your eyes, right after the tunnel
comes... Lyon!” The French poet Alphonse Daudet is said to
have shouted this out once, as his family travelled by train
from Paris to Provence. The city must have made a rather sad
and dilapidated impression in the mid-nineteenth century,
a period in which it was facing financial ruin following the
decline of the silk industry. Lyon has been a long suffering
victim of this far from complementary judgement of Daudet
and his contemporaries, and many travellers still consider the
Roman city of “Lugdunum” a dull industrial city unworthy
of a lengthy stay. Yet, anybody reaching Lyon who decides to
give the city a wide berth will be missing out on a very great
deal. This is because the capital of the Rhône-Alpes region
has been the subject of exemplary restoration work, especially
around the old town, and it comes as no surprise that it was
added to the UNESCO world heritage list in 1998.
28
The heart of Lyon is relatively compact and can be
easily explored on foot, especially as the numerous one-way
streets and narrow network of back alleys make car driving a time-consuming and torturous process for visitors.
And should your legs begin to tire, fall back on a superbly
structured public transport system of underground, trams
and buses as well as two cable cars, which link the quarter
of Saint-Jean with Fourvière Hill. Not to be forgotten is the
range of river trips along the Rhône and Saône. In addition,
the Lyon tourist office also offers tours with Segways travelling at up to 20 km/h. ❯
ISSUE 3.2014
1
2
›
Facts and Figures
City foundation:
43 BC by the Romans under the name of Lugdunum.
Population:
With just under 500,000 inhabitants in inner Lyon, it is the
third largest city in France after Paris and Marseille.
Famous sons of the city:
■ André-Marie Ampère: Mathematician and physicist
■ Charles-Marie Widor: Organist and composer
■ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: Poet and pilot
3
29
DEKRA SOLUTIONS
1
High above “Place Bellecour”
with its statue of Louis XIV on
horseback in the centre is one
of the city’s landmarks: the
Basilica of Fourvière.
2
The culinary diversity in “Les
Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse”
would gladden the heart of
any gourmet.
3
In the old town, numerous “Traboules”, some of them dating
back to the 16th century, link
the courtyards.
4
The Basilica of Fourvière offers
a spectacular view of Lyon
and the two rivers Rhône and
Saône.
5
4
Built under the reign of Emper-
8
or Augustus, the amphitheatre has a diameter of 108
metres and in Roman times
could accommodate 10,000
spectators.
6
Pope Innocent IV convoked the
bishops to attend the first ecumenical council at the Cathedral of Saint-Jean in 1245.
7
The puppet museum housed in
the “Musée Gadagne” boasts
an unrivalled collection of
Guignol puppets.
8
Wall paintings adorn many
a house; the most well-known
is “La Fresque des Lyonnais” depicting 30 famous
personalities.
9
Workers from the silk factories
used to take their meals in one
of the “Bouchons”, the typical
restaurants of Lyon.
30
6
7
ISSUE 3.2014
5
9
›
Food passion
Lyon is considered the French capital of the Gourmet with
the most top chefs in the country. No doubt, the most famous
representatives are the 3-star chef Paul Bocuse and one of
his most avid followers, the king of the spit-roasted Bresse
chicken, Georges Blanc.
A culinary speciality of Lyon are “Quenelles” – dumplings
made of fine durum wheat flour, milk, and egg that can be
eaten as is or flavoured with pike, veal or poultry.
❯ The best place to embark on the discovery of Lyon is
at the heart of the city, i.e. where the oldest traces of the city
can still be found today. Why not start with a brief trip on the
cable car up to Fourvière Hill. Once at the top, take the time
to visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, the symbol
of the cult of Mary in Lyon. Unquestionably spectacular is
the terrace view down on to the third largest urban centre
in France. On a clear day you can see as far as the Alps. Up
here it takes just a few minutes to reach the amphitheatre built
by Emperor Augustus in the 1st century. During the “Nuits
de Fourvière” in summer it serves as a wonderful open-air
­cultural backdrop.
Back in the old town, you should simply follow your
nose through the back alleys of “Vieux Lyon”. Pass by the spacious Saint-Jean Square and the eponymous cathedral begun
in 1180. It boasts 350 gothic door reliefs and an astronomic
clock constructed in 1383. In the Rue Saint-Jean, as well as
in many other alleyways in the city, awaits a Lyon speciality: Traboules trace a path through entrance halls, courtyards
and staircases. These either run parallel to the street or link
up with the next parallel street. These passageways were once
used to protect the silk from rain during transport, especially
in the former weaver quarter of Croix-Rousse. In the S­ econd
World War they served the Résistance as escape routes. Naturally, there are also many other tourist attractions in the old
town of Lyon, such as, for example, the “Musée Gadagne”
with its city history exhibition and its unique collection of
­puppets housed in a beautiful renaissance building from the
16th century.
Culture is hungry work, but here Lyon is ideally
equipped with over 2,000 restaurants and bistros. In the old
town you can find one authentic “bouchon”, the typical Lyon
restaurant, after another – like, for example, on the peninsula
between the Saône and Rhône centred around the Rue Mercière. The food is hearty and best enjoyed with the eminently
drinkable local wine. Apart from the bouchons, the city also
possesses a respectable number of star-studded restaurants.
Anybody wishing to be spoilt by the great chef Paul Bocuse,
needs to head out to Collonges-au-Mont-d’Or. The centre of
Lyon offers a choice between 13 culinary temples boasting
one or two Michelin stars. It is advisable to book a table in
good time, as the inhabitants of Lyon are not adverse to the
finer things in life themselves and keep up a heightened sense
of lifestyle. It therefore seems that the sadness cited above by
our poet Alphonse Daudet belongs to the past.
❮ Matthias Gaul
31
DEKRA SOLUTIONS
1
2
1
2
3
32
The customer looks on as DEKRA employees evaluate the hire
vehicle, examining every part in minute detail.
The expert’s experienced eyes miss nothing – not even the
condition of the tyres and tread.
The documented vehicle inspection helps to avoid disputes about
who is liable for the costs of any damage.
3
ISSUE 3.2014
Vehicle valuation for a car hire company
Getting to the Hertz of the matter
Hertz, the car hire company, relies on detailed documentation for vehicle
handover at six airports in France. The company has placed the task of
inspecting the condition of the vehicles in the hands of DEKRA Expertise.
Your vacation, weekend trip or business
meeting is over and all that you need to do now is
to return the hired car as quickly as possible before
flying back home! However, that is often when the
shock comes as people discover that their vehicle
has been damaged during the hire period. Naturally, car hirers never think that they are the ones
to be blamed for this and flatly refuse to accept any
responsibility. After all, it could well be that the
car was handed over to them in this state already
and that the damage had not been sufficiently
documented at the previous handover? Hertz in
France has hit on a way of avoiding such potential
disputes and has placed its handover procedures
at some of their centres in professional hands
now. Actually, in those of DEKRA Expertise, a
subsidiary of DEKRA Automotive Solutions that
has many years of experience in working with
Hertz and is also responsible for the valuation of
vehicles returned to the manufacturer.
This latest joint project was launched in
March 2013 at the Hertz centres of the two Paris
airports Orly and Charles de Gaulle. Marseille was
added in July 2013, followed by Lyon, Toulouse
and Bordeaux in December 2013. The DEKRA
experts lend Hertz staff a helping hand during
peak times and ensure that neither customer nor
hire company are lumbered with unjustified costs.
“Definitely a key aspect for us is the documented vehicle and damage history,” stresses
Arnaud Dousse, Director of Repair and Maintenance at Hertz Europe. It means that Hertz can
compare in every detail the vehicle condition
at the beginning and end of the hire period and
clearly identify any damage. “Disputes about
“With DEKRA vehicle appraisals we
underscore our high demands in matters
of quality and transparency!”
Arnaud Dousse, Director of Repair and
Maintenance, Hertz Europe.
who is to foot the bill are now a thing of the past
because it can be shown in detail when the damage must have happened,” adds Marcos Sanchez,
Managing Director at DEKRA Expertise.
This is why the experts carry out a detailed
inspection of the vehicle when it is returned and
also immediately tell the customer the percentage he can expect to pay for the damage. “It’s not
only us who benefit from this service; our customers also see its advantages,” says Dousse in his
all-round positive appraisal. They appreciate the
neutrality of DEKRA staff just as much as their
know-how in the used car management sector.
Hertz has therefore managed to kill two birds with
one stone.
❮ Matthias Gaul
Contact
Marcos Sanchez
Managing Director
DEKRA Expertise
Phone +33.6.80 43 21 66
Fax +33.2.31 35 85 16
E-mail marcos.sanchez@dekra-expertise.net
33
DEKRA SOLUTIONS
DEKRA staff in portrait
A developer through and through
Developing
tailored solutions
for topics and projects that have never
existed as such before: this is what never
ceases to excite and fascinate Sorosh Hatami in his job at DEKRA Certification.
Focusing entirely on the specific needs of
his customers, the native Iranian creates
valid testing and certification ­standards,
such as the audit procedure for truck
safety parking spaces. Reporting on his
exciting tasks to an international audience of experts is another aspect of his
work at DEKRA and one which he greatly
enjoys. In his free time the 53-year-old
loves designing and building grills and
smokers in a locksmith shop of one of
his friends. He likes constructing unusual models, such as the one with a vertically installed charcoal container and
an electric motor from a golf trolley for
kebab skewers. The reason for this is that
apart from being a developer through
and through, Sorosh Hatami is also a
passionate cook of exotic cuisine. ❮
At DEKRA, Sorosh Hatami is an expert for testing and certification standards. At home
in his kitchen he is a specialist in exotic cuisine.
❯
DEKRA Solutions Order now
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Then simply fax us this reply coupon to: + 49 . 7 11 . 7 84 98-46
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34
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Sees
everything.
Knows 120 pages
of rules by heart.
Makes
200 decisions
a game.
Loves football
100%.
Has 60,000 critics.
A job that deserves respect.
no fair play without a referee. It's a tough job – whatever the referee does, there will
always be someone who won't be happy. And yet, every week, more than 70,000 men
and women engage in fair play – with neutrality, expertise and passion. Just like DEKRA:
for almost 90 years, we have been ensuring that fair play isn't confined to the football
field. For more information: www.dekra.de
Runs 12 kilometres
a game.