Webasto's 2021 global sales increased 12 percent to 3.7 billion euros but it reported a full-year operating loss of 146 million euros, more than double its loss from 2020. It's first time the 121-year-old German roof and technology supplier has reported back-to-back operating losses in at least the 21st century if not longer. The negative result was largely because of quality issues Webasto had with the roof system it is producing in the United States for the Ford Bronco. Webasto Chairman Holger Engelmann said that issue is solved, but now the challenge is finding and retaining people in the tight U.S. labor market. He discussed this and more with Automotive News Europe Managing Editor Douglas A. Bolduc.
Webasto attributed its operating loss and negative profit margin in its 2021 to “one single, extremely challenging, technologically innovative major project of highly strategic importance for the Americas region.” That is the Ford Bronco roof project, right?
Yes.
What is the current status of the project?
We successfully started operations at a second roof plant, which is in New Hudson, Michigan. So, we are producing the required volumes. In addition, we have the ability to expand capacity. Nevertheless, it's still a challenging project, basically because it is very difficult to fill job vacancies in the U.S. due to the very tight labor market. Retaining people is also very difficult because there is intense competition for high-skilled positions. But we have improved our operation and with regard to the quality and the production volumes the project is going well.