Henkel reviews

Competence in management seems to have disappeared (this is particularly evident at the plant level). Employees are rarely listened to when presenting problems, to the point where many people have lost the desire for change. Errors in judgement are not acknowledged or corrected, and forums for open communications are not available. All efforts and focus are for getting things done, "by hook or by crook".

The problem is Henkel has decided its consumer goods business should have the same profit margins as the industry kingpin Proctor and Gamble. Unfortunately Henkel has only value brands (Dial, Purex, etc.) and cannot demand the profit margins of P&G industry leaders (Tide, etc.). What does Henkel do to bump up margins if not through improved, innovative products?? Start cutting headcounts drastically even it if means the management of the business suffers. For those who managed to dodge the layoff bullet the opportunity for promotions is almost non existent since Henkel has drastically shrunk the management levels and positions.