Word: stallkamp
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...Meetings, transatlantic travel and continued distrust over Schrempp's intentions distracted executives in Chrysler's Auburn Hills, Mich., headquarters. Chairman Bob Eaton, who had pushed for the Daimler merger, became increasingly detached from the company's operations--but not so much that he couldn't fire Chrysler president Tom Stallkamp last year. Schrempp may not have agreed with that move, but he didn't stop it either. Schrempp let Eaton choose Holden as Stallkamp's successor. "This was an American management team with a real track record, who we thought knew what they were doing," says a Schrempp lieutenant...
From the start, the culture gap made DaimlerChrysler's post-marriage period of adjustment more difficult than that of any other merger around. When Stallkamp and two other Chrysler execs named Tom were introduced to their German counterparts, who by custom all use the title Doctor, Stallkamp broke the ice. "Titles are important in America too," he said. "'Tom' is the title you get when you have an M.B.A...
...effect, Schrempp may have saved Chrysler. Even before the merger, Lutz and Castaing had resigned, and the camaraderie was fading. "We were in a transition that would have continued, in part because of Bob's age," concedes Stallkamp. "[The merger] gave us a very strong leader and solved the problem sooner rather than later...
...cross-pollination would not have worked without American patience and flexibility. "Forget 'merger of equals,'" says Stallkamp. "We're one company now, and we're making it work." Despite the early arrogance of the Germans, Stallkamp and his band impressed them with technical prowess--the best auto-manufacturing operation in the world--and a willingness to bury differences and just get the job done...
...managed well, then Tom Stallkamp should never again have to worry about the size of his business card...