VW in crisis: Labor director Gunnar Kilian unexpectedly resigns!

VW in crisis: Labor director Gunnar Kilian unexpectedly resigns!

There is a surprising turnaround at Volkswagen: Gunnar Kilian, who has guided the company's fortunes as labor director for years, announced his resignation on July 4th. During his time at VW, Kilian was not only a central player in the digital transformation, but also played an important role during the difficult Corona crisis. Daniela Cavallo, chairwoman of the works council, was very emotional about his departure in an internal communication. She described the separation as hard, but emphasized the positive outcome of his seven years of work.

What happens next is still unclear. In recent months, however, it has become clear that a future together has become increasingly difficult to plan. The breach of VW's collective bargaining policy last year, which Cavallo classified as a historic breach of taboo, is seen as a critical moment. These developments appeared to have had a significant influence on the decision that continued cooperation was no longer possible. Cavallo makes it clear that co-determination at VW does not depend on the position of labor director.

Personal details and future orientation

Thomas Schäfer will temporarily take over the human resources department and VW human resources director Arne Meiswinkel will be included in the extended group management in order to take on additional responsibility for human resources issues. The search for a new labor director has already begun. The employee side, represented by the works council and IG Metall, is included in the selection process. We are looking for a leader who can master the challenges of change in the automotive industry.

The changes can also be seen against the background of the most recent studies on transformation in the automotive industry. A study by the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg has shown that Volkswagen employees are ready to face the changes. According to the study, there is a high willingness to change; Many employees see change as normal and are actively looking for further training opportunities.

Volkswagen Real Estate – A look into the future

At the same time, there is news from the Volkswagen real estate sector. This area is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. Originally founded as VW Wohnungsbau, the company has changed into Volkswagen Immobilien GmbH and now acts as a partner for the city of Wolfsburg and on the international real estate market. In recent years, around 500 new apartments have been created to meet the needs of employees. A large new building project, the Steimker Gardens with 240 rental apartments, is currently being realized and is scheduled to be completed by 2026.

Thanks to these investments in housing and facilities, Volkswagen Immobilien also shows a strong commitment to the region. In 2022, the company achieved an impressive annual turnover of around 166.5 million euros. Subsidiaries in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia also demonstrate the international orientation and willingness to expand.

Plans for anniversary campaigns that will both celebrate the achievements of Volkswagen Immobilien and benefit the community are in full swing. Part of these festivities will be an anniversary bread in Wolfsburg, which underlines the connection to the region.

Overall, the next period will be characterized by changes. Change is not only a challenge, but also an opportunity for everyone involved to reorient themselves and actively shape the future.