In the third semester, our MBA students get to dive deeper into best practices for managing innovations in their Innovation Management II seminar. Dr. Frank J.Maile, Global Technical Director, Business Unit Effect Pigments at Schlenk Metallic Pigments GmbH, leads the course and oversees turning complex customer requirements into exceptional products. In the courses third session, the students went to one of the top global players in the automotive parts industry. Dr. Maile wanted to point out a key observation that many managers overlook when it comes to innovation management saying, “I want you all to learn about how complex the overall management of an innovation, from start to finish, really is.”
Dr. Maile organized a half day excursion for the course to MAHLE Behr GmbH, in nearby Stuttgart. There the students were greeted by Ecka-Marisa Gunther, HR Marketing and Branding Germany, and by the highly-knowledgeable Dr. Oliver Mamber, Head of Chemical Processes and Material Laboratories at Mahle. Ms. Gunther started the presentation by showing the students the many job opportunities MAHLE offers for graduate students and Direct Hire Entries.
Afterwards, Dr. Mamber had the MBA students put on protective boots and glasses to take a tour exploring the innovation and testing labs that MAHLE has onsite. The students were able to see how the company tests new automotive materials for corrosion, wear-and-tear, and more. This included visiting the aluminium brazing lab, microscope labs, metallography labs, corrosion lab and finally the extensive exhibition on the history of MAHLE and its extensive product portfolio from the past to the present.
Back in the meeting room Dr. Mamber gave a company presentation and a final talk regarding the changing nature of the automotive industry in the near future. He predicted that the automotive industry may have slow growth for the next 5 years as the automobile manufacturers have to decide which direction to head regarding the source of fuel and technology that will be used in the cars-of-the-future. “I am optimistic that MAHLE’s advanced technology will ensure that we will remain a dominant player in the automotive industry” Dr. Mamber concluded his talk. After a round of Q&A the 3rd semester MBA students thanked Dr. Mamber for the interesting program that he had put together and headed back to Pforzheim.

Text: Rupert Rivera III
Photos: MBA