The first excursion of the new MBA students took them to BITZER, a specialist for refrigerant compressors. Founded in 1934 by Martin Bitzer, the company today is a world market leader in refrigeration and air conditioning. Their products create an ideal climate in busses, trains or indoor spaces and guarantee optimum temperature conditions for the global trade in goods and for industrial processes.
Ms. Christine Husemann, Specialist People Development Manager at BITZER and Mr. Ulrich Harm, Director Human Resources, welcomed the students and made them familiar with the agenda of the day. After showing a short video to give an overview of BITZER, Mr. Harm introduced the MBA students to the implementation of new structures and step by step development of the HR department. He shared BITZER´s vision, mission and values regarding the improvement of processes, people development, talent management and the ambition to be an attractive employer.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Ms. Christine Husemann talked about the challenges of convincing the employees, board and management of the necessary changes and also of the plans to implement the new HR topics in all 65 locations worldwide.    
In her presentation Ms. Anne-Kathrin Kessel, Specialist Recruiting and HR Marketing spoke to the MBA students about the opportunities to do an internship, get a working student position or to write their thesis with BITZER. She emphasized that BITZER is not only an attractive but also a healthy and social employer.
After a round Q&A Mr. Michael Schwarz, Technical Coordinator at BITZER, took the students on a factory tour through the production area. He explained the different products and processes which were very interesting especially for the MBA students with an engineering background.
After the lunch break the BITZER team had prepared an Actionbound for the students. With the help of their smart phones this digital treasure trove led them to different parts of the building where they had to collect information on certain topics. In the end the winners of the game were awarded with a prize.
Back in the function room Julia Auer, HR Business Partner at BITZER shared with the MBA students the daily functions of her job as a strategic consulting partner for executives, contact person for employees, innovation driver and change agent.
Thanks to the BITZER team the MBA students had a very fruitful and informative day in the Rottenburg am Neckar branch which gave them a first and highly appreciated insight into the German business environment.

text and photos: MBA