12 MiMfg Magazine March 2021
INDUSTRY
Member Spotlight
Wilm Uhlenbecker
President Brose North America
Member since April 2017 • Employs 1,600 Michigan workers • Learn more at brose . com
Brose North America is headquartered in Auburn Hills and , combined with their New Boston and Jefferson plants , they have more than 1,600 Michigan employees .
As the world ’ s fourth largest family owned automotive supplier , founded over 100 years ago , it ’ s surprising that Brose is not a more familiar name here in Michigan , especially when you consider that all three of their Michigan facilities were winners of the 2020 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For ® in Metro Detroit — for the third consecutive year . Brose has also been named a Top Workplace 2020 by The Detroit Free Press , an honor based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party , anonymous survey .
“ Our people are our greatest asset , and I am consistently impressed by the diverse and capable individuals who lead our organization to success ,” says Brose North America President Wilm Uhlenbecker .
The company has earned a global reputation for developing and producing safe , convenient mechatronic systems for vehicle doors and seats as well as electric motors , drives and electronics for automotive applications . In addition to being recognized by its employees as an exceptional workplace in 2020 , Brose has been recognized , for the third consecutive year and five times total , as a Supplier of the Year by General Motors .
“ The entire Brose organization is proud of being acknowledged as a GM Supplier of the Year for the third time in a row . We strive to be a true partner through the entire product lifecycle , year after year ,” says Uhlenbecker .
Brose ’ s core values can be summed up as family , innovation , respect , success and team — or the acronym “ FIRST ,” Uhlenbecker says . As a family owned company , Brose understands the importance of maintaining a family atmosphere and respecting family obligations . Founder Max Brose was the original innovator and he established a culture of continuous innovation and entrepreneurship throughout the company .
A unique and valuable approach to Brose ’ s ability to stay innovative is their InnoMAX program , where employees are encouraged to present inventive ideas for new
Wilm Uhlenbecker , Brose North America President , pictured at right , walks through the shop floor and talks to employees ( note : photo taken before COVID-19 ). products or services that Brose could offer . Participants pitch their projects through an engaging and inspiring process that involves refining their concepts and re-pitching them .
Uhlenbecker says the keys to success are having passion for what you do and being honest , loyal and authentic .
“ People ask me how I ended up in the automotive industry and I say it is because I love cars ,” he says . “ As products , the experience of driving , sitting in a vehicle and enjoying all the features and comfort it can offer .”
Uhlenbecker sees a bright future in the electric and autonomous vehicle markets , and Brose ’ s concentration on mechatronics could play a pivotal role in this rapidly growing sector .
To add to that bright future , Brose is one of the founding companies of the Michigan Advanced Technician Training program ( MAT 2 ), which provides an educational model that combines work and school to ensure young people have the skills and education needed to succeed in Michigan ’ s manufacturing industry . Brose has hired more than 40 employees who have completed the program .
Brose ’ s innovation , agility and dedication to their team is a cornerstone to their culture and was evident in the early days of the pandemic . They were able to move all 600-plus employees from their North American headquarters in Auburn Hills to home offices in just one day .
“ The industry did not stop . And we kept pace with our customers ’ needs ,” Uhlenbecker says .
Because that ’ s what Brose does : they take care of their customers and their team members . 6