2. Management & Consulting Services
Aus einem Guss – The Perfect Cast
welcome herzlich willkommen

3. Management & Consulting Services
Results count – Experience matters
Teaser
25 Years of track record as Managing Director in
different companies in the Automotive Industry Vision
Mission
12 Years of track record for leading a global group of
up to 11 companies world-wide Paradigm
12 Years of track record for Corporate Governance Motivation
in international organizations Profile
6 successful Green-Field-Investments Development
Responsible execution of turnarounds ServicesOffered
Responsible execution of plant-closures Results
Market-Leadership with Hydro Aluminum’s
Business Unit Castings
Nextpage
Insider of the Aluminum Casting Market
Expert in Aluminum Casting Technology Contact
Expert in Manufacturing Systems
Expert in Marketing and Sales

4. Management & Consulting Services
Results count – Experience matters
Teaser
Complex tasks to which SMETAN engineering can provide a Vision
Mission
valuable contribution include:
Paradigm
Motivation
Consolidating the Footprint and the Product Portfolio Profile
Continuous Improvement and Re-Engineering of Development
Manufacturing Processes and Value Chains ServicesOffered
Step-Change Projects in Product and Process Development Results
Major Capital Expenditure, in particular Green-Field
investments
Previous page
New Start-Ups and Program Launches of significance Nextpage
Restructuring of Companies and Divisions Home
Divestment of Subsidiaries and Divisions Question
Closure and Relocation of Subsidiaries or Departments
Contact

5. Management & Consulting Services
Results count – Experience matters
Teaser
“During my time as a manager in the automotive supply Vision
industry I was constantly striving to confer such demanding and Mission
complex tasks on outstanding executives with many years of Paradigm
professional experience, who were removed from the daily Motivation
routine as far as possible. Profile
Due to their well established professional competence and Development
leadership skills these managers always succeeded in ServicesOffered
orientating all internal and external participants, who formed Results
part in the tasks in a very efficient and, at the same time,
target-oriented way, and in so doing discover risks in such a
timely manner so that appropriate measures could take effect. Previous page
Their understanding of reality, taken from their personal track Nextpage
record, in most cases succeeded upon mere wishful thinking Home
Question
By means of this structured split of day-to-day business from
project work, the whole organization gained considerably
Contact
dynamics and efficiency!

6. Management & Consulting Services
Results count – Experience matters
Teaser
But, similar to a mountain guide for instance, these managers Vision
had to walk certain routes several times themselves, before Mission
they could safely guide others on these routes. Paradigm
Motivation
It is especially their self-confidence, which creates trust in an
Profile
undertaking and stabilizes teams.
Development
It is especially in critical paths that a special level of ServicesOffered
professionalism and persistence is required, which can only Results
emerge from one’s own personal experience.
The professional leaves nothing to chance, rather he knows
when to use ‚an additional clamp‘, before risking a ‚fall on a Previous page
long rope‘.” Nextpage
Home
Question
(Herbert Smetan)
Contact

7. Management & Consulting Services
Results count – Experience matters
Teaser
Vision
For me, it is of course beyond any doubt that Mission
you and your team are perfectly capable of Paradigm
providing such professional competence Motivation
and leadership skills to your personnel. Profile
If you have appropriate time so to do! Development
If not, please call me or send a note! ServicesOffered
I will surely help you! Results
You can count on it!
Promised!
Previous page
Nextpage
Print
Yours sincerely Contact
Herbert Smetan

8. Vision
the holistic approach towards operational management...
Teaser
Vision
Mission
Paradigm
Motivation
Profile
Development
ServicesOffered
Results
„My vision is the outstanding product that sets the industry Previous page
standard – in terms of design, characteristics, price and Nextpage
reliability – and which offers the client competitive advantages, Home
thus improving his market position.“ Question
(Herbert Smetan) Contact

9. Mission
….creating sustainable cost leadership ….
Teaser
Vision
Mission
Paradigm
Motivation
Profile
Development
ServicesOffered
Results
“My mission is to manufacture this product using robust Previous page
processes within a balanced production chain, which is based Nextpage
on well designed, highly reliable equipment and capable Home
tooling and by this creating sustainable cost leadership.” Question
(Herbert Smetan) Contact

10. Mission
….creating sustainable cost leadership ….
Teaser
Daring to pursue solutions that redefine the industry standard Vision
with optimum resource usage becomes possible if one is not Mission
intimidated by confronting the complexity of the task and, with Paradigm
foresight, has solutions available to apply to the areas in which Motivation
latent risks may become manifest. Profile
Manufacturing processes that are validated with a realistic Development
attitude, in combination with reliable hardware solutions and a ServicesOffered
fine-tuned material flow, make it possible to secure the long- Results
term success of this approach by means of the ‘continuous
improvement’ methodology.
Previous page
The consensus between management and employees is the
ultimate requirement for the group dynamic necessary for the Nextpage
sustainable successful company! Home
Question
(Herbert Smetan) Contact

11. “simply be better”
….through highly efficient value chains
Teaser
Vision
Mission
Paradigm
Motivation
Profile
ProcessCapability
Development
ServicesOffered
Quality Results
Reward-
System Product
Operational
Effectiveness Previous page
Nextpage
Home
Question
Contact
...the complexity of which is resulting from a multitude of diverse interactions

12. “simply be better” (1)
….through highly efficient value chains
Teaser
„ Successful companies focus on the production process, since Vision
profit isn’t generated through accounting! Mission
Paradigm
Only optimally fine-tuned manufacturing sets the standard for
Motivation
quality, costs and product availability – and by this also
Profile
represents the precondition for the successful positioning of a
company in globalized competition! Development
ServicesOffered
Companies focused on continuous development of their Results
market share, as well as the expansion of their target market,
would do well to disregard discussions regarding hidden
defects in their products.
Previous page
The product quality is determined exclusively by Nextpage
manufacturing, not by inspection. Home
Products that are flawless with regard to the specification can Question
only be produced in consistently validated processes.
Contact

13. “simply be better” (2)
….through highly efficient value chains
Teaser
Further, high-performance processes only result in a consistent Vision
production flow in reliable and well-tuned production facilities Mission
in which ongoing client demand can be met without significant Paradigm
warehousing of products while employing exemplary labour, Motivation
equipment and resource efficiency. Profile
Appropriate business processes ensure as well operating cost Development
management in company administration. This includes ServicesOffered
management systems for quality assurance, work safety and Results
environmental protection.
Only in the product, that is in the process of formation, do the
Previous page
capabilities of human, machine, tool, process and material flow
come together to demonstrate the suitability of the solution Nextpage
chosen. Home
Question
The fulcrum and linchpin for sustainable success of a
production concept lies particularly in the robustness of the
Contact
chosen production process.

14. “simply be better” (3)
….through highly efficient value chains
Teaser
This is why a firm hold on reality is relevant for the whole Vision
system during the validation phase of the later production Mission
process and set-up. Paradigm
Motivation
Mistakes in this step of any program can usually only be
Profile
compensated by dealing with symptoms, since the time and
financial means for correcting the root-causes are often lacking Development
in later phases of a project. ServicesOffered
Results
Consequently, the Project Management Systems in leading
companies assume the defensive function of ensuring the
prevention of economic effects resulting from unexpected
Previous page
launching issues.
Nextpage
The same applies to the reliability of the hardware used. While Home
purchase decisions regarding private acquisitions are Question
increasingly based on the many available performance
comparisons, the selection of production facilities and
Contact
resources is less frequently based on such a fundamental
analysis.

15. “simply be better” (4)
….through highly efficient value chains
Teaser
In this connection, quality defects and hardware malfunctions Vision
as well as their interactions are clearly the main reasons for Mission
the instability of a generally unsatisfactory and cost-intensive Paradigm
production concept. Motivation
Profile
If the production chain is not reliably coordinated, then energy
efficient process layouts become a mere farce and production Development
itself becomes a game of the dice. ServicesOffered
Results
In the end, the people involved hold everything together.
This is why the entire production process in all its complexity
must be manageable and comprehensible, able to be taught Previous page
and learned. Nextpage
The consensus between management and employees should Home
serve to support the necessary curiosity. Question
Print
Because only by constructively managing mistakes are we able Contact
to discover new and better ways of doing things.
(Herbert Smetan)

16. “simply be better” (5)
“and a pure hypothetical example….”
Teaser
15
Vision
14
advantage Mission
costs
costs
13
12
11 15 Paradigm
10
9 14
8
12 13 Motivation
11
7
9 10 Profile
6 8
5 7 Development
6
4
ServicesOffered
5
3 4
3
2
Results
1 1 2
value added value added
“Let us start for a virtual plant tour in your company and follow
the material flow of one of your mainstay of sales. Doing so we Previous page
incorporate every single production step into a chart, which shows Nextpage
costs above added value. The “red lines” herein form those costs, Home
which do not lead to any added value at all. In impulse one thinks, Question
that this does not exist in your company, and we state that your
Print
stocks are of full of these and that your fork-lift trucks do not carry
Contact
anything else around for most of the time. And then reflect for a
while and allow the thought for a moment that the right hand
chart could be that of one of your competitors.”

17. Motivation (1)
There is a perfect solution……….
Teaser
Vision
Mission
Paradigm
Motivation
Profile
Development
ServicesOffered
Results
…….and together we will find it
Previous page
“I have always been looking for the new and I have always
Nextpage
been questioning critically the established. But both, entering
‘virgin territory’ as well as changing the status quo does not Home
only demand the courage to take risks, but also that sort of Question
acting responsible, which allows the risk to become
controllable.” Contact
(Herbert Smetan)

18. Motivation (2)
There is a perfect solution……….
Teaser
“These experiences allowed me to recognize early on that Vision
every realisable task can be achieved with the help of a Mission
professional, systematic approach. Paradigm
Even in the case of green-field projects at a new site, in which a Motivation
new product was to be produced using a new process, with Profile
completely new staff, implementing a realistic, comprehensive Development
approach to achieving the goal allowed the project to succeed ServicesOffered
without deviating substantially from the established schedule Results
or budget.
I was consistently responsible for all of these green-field
projects from the development and project phase through to Previous page
the time at which the facilities could be operated at the Nextpage
intended performance level. Home
Question
Contact

19. Motivation (3)
There is a perfect solution……….
Teaser
In this manner, I was sequentially given responsibility for a Vision
group of up to 11 companies (see below) in total, located in Mission
Western and Central Europe, as well as in Latin America and Paradigm
the Asia-Pacific region, which in 2006 confirmed their Motivation
outstanding positioning and performance as industry standard Profile
through a number of leading management consultant firms. > Development
The product portfolio and footprint were continually optimized ServicesOffered
so that eventually the group essentially concentrated on the Results
manufacturing of high-performance engine blocks and cylinder
heads from the light weight material of aluminum.
Previous page
I would now like to offer the insights gained from my extensive
international experience to the entire industry worldwide, as Nextpage
an independent management consultant. Home
Question
Contact
Bielsko-Biala/Poland, Charlottenberg/Sweden, Dillingen/Germany, Györ/Hungary, Leeds/Great Britain,
Linz/Austria, Most/Czech Republic, Nanjing/China, Saltillo/Mexico, Wernigerode/Germany, Ziar/Slovakia

20. Motivation (4)
There is a perfect solution……….
Teaser
I willingly bring to the table my ability – developed during the Vision
course of my involvement in the global and internationalized Mission
automotive supply industry – to reliably evaluate the Paradigm
performance potential of companies operating in very Motivation
different, even contradictory environments. Profile
For over a decade during my career, I frequently had the Development
opportunity to accompany companies in Western and Central ServicesOffered
Europe, Asia and Latin America over the course of their very Results
successful growth – often as supervisory board chair.
The efficiency of mature business processes is particularly
Previous page
apparent in corporate governance, since only then corporate
governance is able to ensure clear and decisive assessment of Nextpage
a company’s current business situation without bias and allow Home
for the evaluation of proposed corrective counter measures.“ Question
Print
(Herbert Smetan)
Contact

21. Profile (1)
visionary plot– structured implementation
Teaser
Vision
Mission
Paradigm
Motivation
Profile
Development
ServicesOffered
Results
Boeing 767-Flight-Simulator at the Lufthansa-Trainings-Centre at Frankfurt Rhein-Main- Airport on 14.04.2007
„During almost four decades in the aluminum foundry industry Previous page
I have repeatedly taken responsibility for pioneering projects Nextpage
for first-class car components, which within the industry never Home
failed to attracted a high degree of attention.“ Question
(Herbert Smetan)
Contact

22. Profile (2)
visionary plot– structured implementation
Teaser
These include noteworthy technical innovations as well as Vision
important large-scale investments both in Germany and Mission
abroad, for which I was also responsible during their initial Paradigm
operative phases. Motivation
Profile
I was able to fundamentally contribute to the character of the
Aluminium Foundry Industry through this work. Development
ServicesOffered
The decisive factor was that all these projects without Results
exception were realized within set budget constraints and also
achieved all project goals. These goals included precise
adherence to the business plan, as well as the punctual release
Previous page
of a qualitatively and quantitatively irreproachable product.
Nextpage
I consider these the foundations of reliable and professional Home
work, or better, of ‘Right and Good Management.’ Question
Contact

23. Profile (3)
visionary plot– structured implementation
Teaser
Wherever progress is made, where new territory is to be Vision
entered, people are subject to risks that can be managed with Mission
the right methodology, and thus made calculable. Paradigm
Motivation
It has always been particularly important to me, and has
Profile
fundamentally become part of my understanding, to develop
the requisite methodology systematically, and to continually Development
refine it. ServicesOffered
Results
This is because, for me, leaving the result of a project to
chance is not an alternative.
Neither is reluctance to enter new territory, since it is only Previous page
beyond the horizon of the known that long-term success lies Nextpage
hidden. Home
For me, the manufacturing process lies at the centre of this Question
structured manner of working.
Contact

24. Profile (4)
visionary plot– structured implementation
Teaser
It is of equally high importance to me to develop a hypothesis Vision
concerning the functional character of each manufacturing Mission
process, and to confirm or reject it with the variation in Paradigm
parameters and to validate it before I further stabilize the Motivation
process by limiting the variance and continue attempts to Profile
improve it. Development
Without a reliable understanding of the actual functional ServicesOffered
model, every Six Sigma strategy is condemned to ineffectuality! Results
Wherever we are concerned with professionals in their field,
we develop trust in these individuals and cultivate the feeling
Previous page
that we can rely on them, and not the feeling that we are at
their mercy. Nextpage
Home
It is of prime importance to me to prove to everyone that their Question
trust in my work is well-placed, in both personal and business
contexts.
Contact

25. Profile (5)
visionary plot– structured implementation
Teaser
The same professional approach is also important when it is a Vision
question of permanently maintaining and improving high- Mission
performance manufacturing facilities. Paradigm
Motivation
In the hands of corporate governance, continuous status
Profile
information becomes an efficient navigation system when
based on a system of meaningful Key Performance Indicators . Development
ServicesOffered
Should it become necessary to close, restructure or divest Results
companies or divisions, dealing with matters professionally
creates trust for people with realistic views.
At the end, wherever we go, however we do, whatever we Previous page
change we have to take the people with us. Nextpage
The only constant in our world is change, without which there Home
would be no progress. Question
Contact
(Herbert Smetan)

26. Profile (6)
visionary plot– structured implementation
Teaser
“Well-managed organizations can be recognized in that their Vision
decisions are always made at the lowest possible hierarchical Mission
level in the organization, and are based on reliable information Paradigm
and appropriate business processes.” Motivation
Profile
(Viable System Model)
Development
“In poorly managed organizations, the boss always makes the ServicesOffered
decisions – which do not appear to be motivated by any kind of Results
logic!”
(wide-spread employee opinion)
Previous page
“A company’s work-safety performance is the best early
Nextpage
indicator for the acceptance of management within a company.
Home
If one assumes that this consensus fundamentally determines Question
employee motivation, then this index becomes one of the Print
most important management instruments.” Contact
(Herbert Smetan)

27. Profile (1)
personal back-ground
Teaser
Vision
Mission
Paradigm
Motivation
Profile
Development
ServicesOffered
Results
CV
Hobbies: „By jogging and bicycle touring I train to improve my
stamina. During extended hill walks I marvel at what Previous page
motivation is able to activate reserves. And when occasionally Nextpage
playing golf I feel humbled. Home
In my younger days I learned during challenging offshore Question
sailing cruises, that it is only oneself who sets ones limits.”
Contact
(Herbert Smetan)

28. Profile (2)
personal back-ground
Teaser
Vision
Mission
Paradigm
Motivation
Profile
Development
ServicesOffered
Results
CV
Mode of working: “Based upon my experience in medium-sized
industry I feel at home in this environment. And I know to strike Previous page
the right note, which most of the time guarantees its effect. Thus Nextpage
my working method is not always perceived enjoyable. Home
But the person for me is the pivot and focus of a corporation and Question
his trust is paramount!” Print
Contact
(Herbert Smetan)

29. Career (1)
holistic thinking – focused acting
Teaser
Vision
Mission
Paradigm
Motivation
Profile
Development
ServicesOffered
Results
intabular form
education
Previous page
„ Though I was originally compelled to study physics, I later
Nextpage
discovered my more pragmatic interests and decided to study
engineering sciences. Having been trained as a molder in an art Home
and metal foundry, casting and materials were the obvious Question
choice for me when it came time to specialize.”
Contact
(Herbert Smetan)

30. Career (2)
holistic thinking – focused acting
Teaser
“In addition to my enthusiasm for free shaping (acquired as a Vision
molder working with artistic castings), after completing my Mission
studies it was my fascination in Aluminum as a light weight
Paradigm
construction material that moved me to explore the
Motivation
possibilities of this combination.
Profile
Applied research at a leading company in this market segment Development
was the next logical step, though I first acquired some ServicesOffered
exceptional leadership experience at an iron foundry. Results
Unfortunately at this time research centers in the so-called intabular form
‘ivory tower’ were not very well respected in the real world – education
that is, in operations. Previous page
For this reason, after a few years I decided to re-enter the Nextpage
‘lion’s den’. Home
Question
This was one of the most productive phases of my career, as I
began to test in the real world all the knowledge I had acquired
Contact
in the ‘ivory tower’.

31. Career (3)
holistic thinking – focused acting
Teaser
Most of my inventions soon came to be seen as real
Vision
innovations.
Mission
When I walk through foundries today, I am excited to witness Paradigm
practices that originated from my own initiative in those early Motivation
years: Profile
Degassing of molten Aluminum by means of inert gases, Development
gassing liquid metals by means of Hydrogen-Nitrogen-gas- ServicesOffered
mixtures, grain refinement and permanent modification Results
directly in foundry operations by means of master-alloys. intabular form
education
Electronic pressure control in low-pressure casting facilities.
Previous page
And, last but not least, the most recent initiative for the use of Nextpage
inorganic binders in the aluminum casting industry.
Home
It was above all these successes as I made the switch from Question
research to manufacturing that pushed me to look for even
greater challenges. Contact

32. Career (4)
holistic thinking – focused acting
Teaser
It was quite opportune when a client for cast light metal
Vision
wheels decided to cast these wheels in his own foundry in
France and to use the counter pressure casting process that Mission
was invented in Bulgaria. Paradigm
Motivation
It should be noted that this was in 1980, when Eastern Europe Profile
was still closed behind the Iron Curtain and the import of any
Development
technology to this country was adversely affected by various
ServicesOffered
embargos imposed by the United States.
Results
Yet the most serious problems were solved step by step and intabular form
the first successful counter pressure foundry eventually began education
operations outside of the Eastern Block. Previous page
After this success the idea aroused of creating forging quality Nextpage
from the “first heat” by means of this innovative new casting Home
process. Question
Contact

33. Career (5)
holistic thinking – focused acting
Teaser
As is seldom the case, the industry was apparently not ready Vision
for such advancements as chassis components cast in Mission
aluminum, and it is only now – some 25 years later – that this
Paradigm
idea has begun to re-establish itself.
Motivation
For me these successes were the starting point for more Profile
demanding leadership challenges at the level of top Development
management. ServicesOffered
Here too it was my creativity in combination with my Results
extremely structured manner of working that helped me at the intabular form
young age of 36 to convince an entrenched, traditional education
company to undergo massive change and thus to create the Previous page
decisive basis for this company’s turn-around. Nextpage
For me the years of this turn-around were crucial in firming up Home
my conviction of the importance of the individual and of his or Question
her contribution to overall success.
Contact

34. Career (6)
holistic thinking – focused acting
Teaser
At that time I received the offer of becoming the person in Vision
charge of the most innovative (and at the same time the most Mission
riskiest) investment project in the European Aluminum Casting
Paradigm
Industry – the construction of a factory for the production of
Motivation
engine blocks and cylinder heads made of aluminum by the
means of the core package process that until then had only Profile
been used for low-volume production. Development
ServicesOffered
I began the project in 1991, after the fall of the Iron Curtain, by Results
looking for the right location. Subsequently a new factory was
intabular form
built in a new location (Dillingen/D) where a new, innovative Education
product was to be produced by means of a new, half-baked
casting method and with a new, completely inexperienced Previous page
work-force. Nextpage
Home
More skeptic people than me called this the perfect Question
description of a total disaster.
And yet somehow my structured process focus that had Contact
previously proved so dependable allowed me to perfectly
master this complex challenge as well!

35. Career (7)
holistic thinking – focused acting
Teaser
As a result I was placed in charge of a group of companies, Vision
where I was now repeatedly confronted with the task of Mission
handling additional green-field investments, all of which I
Paradigm
successfully concluded and was able to leverage for healthy
Motivation
company growth.
Profile
In total I was awarded responsibility of a group of up to 11 Development
companies; their internationally outstanding and even leading ServicesOffered
positioning and performance was attested by well-known, Results
independent consulting firms in 2006 in the course of the
intabular form
divestment of this business unit. Education
The product portfolio and footprint were continually improved Previous page
so that the group came to focus primarily on the Nextpage
manufacturing of engine blocks and cylinder heads at the Home
leading edge of performance cast of the light weight Question
construction material aluminum.
Contact

36. Career (8)
holistic thinking – focused acting
Teaser
In the process of this focused restructuring, additional state of the Vision
art capacity had to be created continually, thus setting the Mission
standard for the industry. In addition, outdated operations had
Paradigm
either to be closed or fully modernized.
Motivation
These measures included restructuring of the entire product Profile
portfolio in the direction of high-quality and high-performance Development
components. Finally, thanks to the combination of outstanding ServicesOffered
production and carefully coordinated market segmentation, Hydro Results
Aluminum’s Castings Business emerged as the industry leader.
intabular form
Hence products which were not under the price-pressure of education
commodities could be acquired. Dependable product quality Previous page
made it possible to provide stable, inter-continental delivery to Nextpage
the global automobile industry and so led to scale effects in the Home
group’s cost structure. Question
Crucial for this success were the consensus within management
regarding a targeted strategy and the market presence that was Contact
completely unique.

37. Career (9)
holistic thinking – focused acting
Teaser
Nevertheless, in a global, inter-cultural setting it is important Vision
not only to create consensus at the management level, but Mission
also to integrate motivated employees into the process as well.
Paradigm
As an engineer one quickly acquires the reputation of a Motivation
technocrat, perhaps because it is a common trait of our Profile
profession always to expect an appropriate reaction to any Development
impulse, like a ball that always moves in the same direction ServicesOffered
when struck. I have often attempted to improve the Results
performance of companies by means of ambitious goals. Of
intabular form
course company staff and leadership are only able to achieve education
these goals if the individuals involved see themselves as a
unified group. Previous page
Nextpage
Once I was able to create the right group dynamics by Home
evaluating the company culture and the behavior of individuals Question
in the group, teams almost always achieved these ambitious
goals thanks to their motivated work.
Contact

38. Career (10)
holistic thinking – focused acting
Teaser
Yet these goals should be defined by those in the group who Vision
are to make significant contributions. Mission
Goals defined together are perceived far differently by Paradigm
employees. I attribute this very clear shift to a phenomenon Motivation
known as ‘alignment.’ The accuracy of forecasts as well as the Profile
commitment to fulfill these forecasts increased considerably. Development
And the synergies created lead to extraordinary economic ServicesOffered
results. From my point of view the “buy-in” of employees to all Results
essential measures is always worth having, even if it takes intabular form
some time to obtain it. education
Previous page
In fact all of my success is a result of having been able to
generate enthusiasm among my employees for my goals. Nextpage
Home
Let us do so together.” Question
Print
Contact
(Herbert Smetan)

39. Portfolio of services
problem solving – decisions correctly taken
Teaser
Our Portfolio of Services: Vision
Mission
Detect Opportunities Paradigm
Develop Strategies Motivation
Capture Potentials
Profile
Initiate Change
Development
Create Sustainability
ServicesOffered
As your advisors we will not Results
CoreCompetencies
only hand-over our final
CooperationPartners
report but develop together
with your team the right and Previous page
suitable concept. Together Nextpage
with your team we will as well Home
support the execution of the
Question
related action-plan until the
targeted result will be reliably
and sustainably achieved. Contact

40. Portfolio of services
problem solving – decisions correctly taken
Teaser
Vision
from our perspective the significant improvement of value chains is Mission
only feasible in teams of highly Paradigm
create sustainability qualified, motivated people Motivation
Smetan Engineering
Profile
who are simultaneously
Development
in mutual consensus. ServicesOffered
The implementation Results
CoreCompetencies
implementation competency related CooperationPartners
-
requires experience Previous page
competency
Nextpage
with motley teams,
Co-operation Partner
Home
interdisciplinary, for Question
capture potentials the most part without
Contact
any hierarchical structure
initiate change
known from real organizations”

41. Portfolio of services (1)
problem solving – decisions correctly taken
Teaser
detect opportunities Vision
Analysis of the positioning in the market, market Mission
segmentation and competitive landscape Paradigm
Analysis of the positioning in technology of products, of Motivation
processes und of manufacturing Profile
Analysis of the Foot-Print and the Product-Portfolio Development
Analysis of financial performance and realistic improvement ServicesOffered
potentials
Results
develop strategies CoreCompetencies
Systematic Workshops to develop mid-term- and long-term CooperationPartners
strategy ‘fit for future ?/!’
Previous page
Develop Road-Map towards sustainable financial
improvements Nextpage
Master-Plan for fundamental changes in Foot-Print and Home
Product-Portfolio Question
Mutual identification of growth potentials and exit
opportunities Contact

42. Portfolio of services (2)
problem solving – decisions correctly taken
Teaser
capture potentials Vision
Re-Engineering of existing manufacturing lines and value Mission
chains Paradigm
engineering and erection of new manufacturing lines in Motivation
‚State-of-the-Art‘-technology Profile
Introduction of new products on the basis of existing core
competencies Development
Development of new markets within the existing product ServicesOffered
portfolio Results
CoreCompetencies
initiate change CooperationPartners
create acceptance for change within management and
employees Previous page
development of a mutually supported company vision Nextpage
Initiate consensus regarding the nature of necessary changes Home
Redesign of the organization structure on the basis of existing Question
competencies
Acceptance of deficits
Contact
Definition of a human resources development program
according the company’s needs

43. Portfolio of services (3)
problem solving – decisions correctly taken
Teaser
Create sustainability Vision
Mission
Consolidation of the product-, process- and material-portfolio
Paradigm
Significant improvement and stabilization of manufacturing Motivation
processes in use Profile
Development
Optimization and completion of the existing equipment
ServicesOffered
Re-Engineering of the value chain Results
CoreCompetencies
Introduction of reliable business processes CooperationPartners
Introduction of a meaningful set of Key Performance Indicators Previous page
and a related Bench-Marking-System Nextpage
(operational & financial)
Home
Consolidation of the Foot-Print considering market and cost Question
optimization requirements Print
Contact
Smetan Engineering - Network Co-operation partner

44. Core Competencies (1)
complex systems – the approach distinguishes
Teaser
Vision
Mission
Paradigm
Motivation
Profile
Development
ServicesOffered
Results
CoreCompetencies
CooperationPartners
Previous page
Nextpage
Home
Question
„At the end it is always the person who matters! Contact
Especially when it comes to consulting!“
(Herbert Smetan)

45. Core Competencies (2)
complex systems – the approach distinguishes
Teaser
25 years as Managing Director in different companies Vision
Mission
12 years success as Senior Vice President of a Business Unit
Paradigm
12 years success in Corporate Governance Motivation
6 successful Green-Field-Investments Profile
Responsible execution of Turnarounds Development
ServicesOffered
Responsible execution of plant closures and relocations
Results
Market Leadership with Business Unit Castings CoreCompetencies
of Hydro Aluminium Automotive CooperationPartners
Insider des Aluminium Casting Business Previous page
Nextpage
Expert of Aluminium Casting Technology
Home
Expert in Manufacturing Systems Question
Expert in Marketing and Sales
Contact

46. Core Competencies (3)
complex systems – the approach distinguishes
Teaser
„I regard it as my personal strengths, to go to the bottom of Vision
problems by using a structured and systematic approach in Mission
order to create robust and sustainable solutions. By now, some Paradigm
of these have already changed the yardstick of the global Motivation
Aluminium Casting Industry. Profile
Despite of all this I usually stay pragmatic which is quite Development
evident in the light of the numerous projects I have ServicesOffered
successfully managed to establish. Results
CoreCompetencies
Naturally I prefer to create New. But quite often facts and
CooperationPartners
figures are evidence of the needs to consolidate existing first as
a precondition of further healthy growth. Previous page
Nextpage
Despite the habit that I rely on facts and figures, I am not a
Home
technocrat.
Question
I see the development and the change of the people in the
enterprise as the most important task of companies which will Contact
be coping with the markets and the industry successfully.

47. Core Competencies (4)
complex systems – the approach distinguishes
Teaser
Vision
Mission
Paradigm
Motivation
Profile
Development
ServicesOffered
Results
CoreCompetencies
CooperationPartners
According to one of the theorems of cybernetics the complexity
of a system (company) has to be larger than the one of its Previous page
environment (market or industry) to exist in it successfully. Nextpage
Home
Until today, at least for the time being, the responsible and
Question
competent person is needed who's creativity is determined by the
small but crucial element of being always better than the Print
competitors in the relevant market.” Contact
(Herbert Smetan)

48. Co-operation Partners
our partners….
Teaser
Malik Management Zentrum Sankt Gallen/CH Vision
www.malik-mzsg.ch
Mission
CPO Management Consultants Mainz/D
www.cpo-mainz.com Paradigm
MFB Manage Future Business Wiesbaden/D Motivation
www.mfbresultants.com Profile
Knight Wendling Foundry Engineering Düsseldorf/D Development
www.knightwendling.de
ServicesOffered
IQube Consulting Group Sankt Gallen/CH Results
www.iqube-group.com
CoreCompetencies
KIEFABER MANAGEMENT-SYSTEMS Kirkel/D CooperationPartners
www.kiefaber.info
Previous page
Fill Machinery- and Production Lines Gurten/A
www.fill.co.at Nextpage
Becker GmbH CAD-CAM-CAST Steffenberg-Quotshausen/D Home
www.beckerccc.com Question
Meissner AG Tooling and Pattern Company Biedenkopf/D
www.meissner-ag.de
Contact
VIS/ual/ CON/tact/ Marketing-& Advertising Agency Differten/D
www.visual-contact.eu

49. Co-operation Partners
….and their task-specific integration
Teaser
Vision
Mission
Paradigm
Motivation
ProcessCapability Profile
Development
ServicesOffered
Results
Product CoreCompetencies
Operational CooperationPartners
Effectiveness Previous page
Nextpage
Home
Question
Contact
Economical success = f(specific market position x operational effectiveness)

50. Co-operation Partners
„together we move on“
Teaser
The topic-specific integration of a team of internal and external Vision
experts ensures the most effective examination of your unique Mission
problem and represents by this the most reliable approach Paradigm
towards a certain and reliable solution. Motivation
From our point of view the responsible consultant team has to Profile
act exclusively in the back-ground in order to compensate for Development
temporary gaps in your organization to initiate and support the ServicesOffered
necessary change process, simultaneously with the goal to Results
qualify your people to close the gap which we will be creating CoreCompetencies
when leaving again. CooperationPartners
The result of our consulting support (R) equals to the product Previous page
of the quality of a solution (Q) and their acceptance by your Nextpage
team (A): Home
R=QxA Question
Print
Our special approach ensures both through the active Contact
involvement of your team in the project work, outstanding
quality in combination with an unreserved acceptance.

51. Results (1)
…..and what I have managed to accomplish so far
Teaser
Vision
Mission
Paradigm
Motivation
Profile
Development
ServicesOffered
Results
1975 Fundamental scientific work regarding intermetallic
bonds between iron and aluminium materials Previous page
1976 Fundamental scientific work regarding castability of Nextpage
the alloy AlSi17Cu4NiTi in the case of complex engine Home
blocks using the Low Pressure Casting Process Question
1980 Development of different high-quality automotive
components in aluminium on Green-Sand-Molding- Contact
Lines

52. Results (2)
…..and what I have managed to accomplish so far
Teaser
1980 Introduction of the Counter Pressure Casting Process Vision
1983 for the mass-production of cast aluminium wheels in Mission
cross-spoke-design in co-operation with Paradigm
„Technology of Metals“ Sofia/ Bulgaria (Publication) Motivation
Profile
1983 Further development of the Counter Pressure Process
Development
1986 to produce high-quality chassis components for
ServicesOffered
passenger cars in aluminium forging alloys in co-
Results
operation with Maschinenfabrik Müller-Weingarten
(Publication)
1986 Restructuring of the company Kloth Senking Previous page
1991 Metallgießerei GmbH with its divisions Nextpage
Aluminium-Sand-, -Die- and - HPD- Casting as well Home
as Magnesium-Sand Casting and Zink-HPD-Casting Question
1989 Post Merger Integration of the company after the
1990 acquisition by Thyssen Guss AG from Salzgitter AG Contact

53. Results (3)
…..and what I have managed to accomplish so far
Teaser
1991 Engineering and construction of an Aluminium Foundry Vision
1995 for Engine Blocks and Cylinder Heads in Mission
Dillingen/Germany according the Core-Package-Process Paradigm
in co-operation with Knight Wendling Foundry Motivation
Engineering and +GF+ Foundry Equipment division Profile
including Product- and Process-Development, site-
Development
selection and permissions (Publication)
ServicesOffered
1995 Management of the plan, launching of the foundry and Results
1998 doubling of installed capacity.
Acquisition of further products.
Previous page
1997 Construction and launch of a SPM-foundry for Cylinder Nextpage
Heads in Györ/Hungary Home
Question
1998 Engineering, construction and launch of a SPM-foundry
for Cylinder Heads in Saltillo/Mexico
Contact

54. Results (4)
…..and what I have managed to accomplish so far
Teaser
1999 Closure of the first SPM-foundry in Leeds/UK Vision
1999 Introduction of new and standardized Business Mission
Processes at VAW and the Business Unit Castings Paradigm
2000 Restructuring of a SPM-foundry in Linz/Austria Motivation
Profile
2001 Engineering, construction and launch of a Core-Package-
foundry for Engine Blocks in Saltillo/Mexico Development
ServicesOffered
2001 Restructuring of the organization of VAW Aluminium AG
Results
towards divisional structure.
2002 Closure of the second SPM-foundry in Leeds/UK and
relocation of production to Györ/Hungary
Previous page
2002 Project Manager of Post Merger Integration Process Nextpage
after the acquisition of VAW by Norsk Hydro ASA Oslo
Home
for the Automotive Division
Question
2002 Syntegration Work-shop „Fit for Future“ for the Business
Unit Castings in co-operation with Management
Contact
Zentrum Sankt Gallen which marks the turning point
towards sustainable economical success of BU Castings

55. Results (5)
…..and what I have managed to accomplish so far
Teaser
2003 Engineering, construction an launch of a second Core- Vision
Package-foundry for V-Engine Blocks in Mission
Dillingen/Germany (Publication) Paradigm
2003 Evaluation of Company Culture and 360°-Feedbacks of Motivation
the management levels in co-operation with CPO Profile
Management Consultants Mainz marks the turning Development
point in the Company Culture in the Business Unit ServicesOffered
Castings Results
2004 Restructuring of the organization of the BU Castings
towards a Cluster-Structure according the Viable
System Model in co-operation with Management Previous page
Zentrum Sankt Gallen Nextpage
Home
2007 Project Manager in the Post Merger Integration Process
Question
after the acquisition of BU Castings by Nemak S.A. for
Europe and Asia/Pacific.
Contact

56. Results (6)
…..and what I have managed to accomplish so far
Teaser
2007 Evaluation of Company Culture and 360°-Feedbacks of Vision
the management levels for a problem plant in co- Mission
operation with CPO Management Consultants Mainz Paradigm
Motivation
2007 Customer Perceived Value Evaluation - world-wide-
Profile
in co-operation with
Management Zentrum Sankt Gallen Development
ServicesOffered
2008 Syntegration-workshop „Fit for Future“ for a problem Results
plant in co-operation with
Management Zentrum Sankt Gallen
2008 Cultural Shift Program with THT (Trompenaars-Hampden-Turner) Previous page
for the global ‚New Nemak‘ Integration, targeting cultural Nextpage
reconciliation of the multinational group. Home
Question
2009 Foundation of the own Consultant Company
Print
SMETAN engineering GmbH with focus towards an
Contact
integrated approach towards the manufacturing
industry (Publications)

57. Contact data
Teaser
SMETAN engineering GmbH Vision
(in the process of foundation) Mission
Paradigm
Auf der Hardt 34
Motivation
D-66780 Rehlingen - Siersburg
Profile
Phone: +49(0)6835/607242 Development
ServicesOffered
Mobile: +49(0)172 /6803945
Results
Fax: +49(0)6835/607241
e-Mail: info@Smetan-Engineering.com
Previous page
Web-Page: www.Smetan-Engineering.com
Home
Question
Managing Director: Dipl.-Ing. Herbert Smetan Print
Chairman of the Supervisory Board: Dr. Dieter Braun Contact
Associated Partners: Herbert Smetan, Hannes Hundegger

58. Back-Up-Information

59. Profile
personal back-ground
Teaser
in 1950 born in Germany /District of Goeppingen Vision
Mission
from 1956 Elementary Scholl Paradigm
to 1964 in the District of Goeppingen
Motivation
from 1964 Apprenticeship as a moulder for Profile
to 1967 bronze art sculptures Development
at Art- and Bronze Foundry ServicesOffered
Ernst Strassacker KG in Süssen Results
District of Goeppingen
from 1967 Technical College
to 1968 (University Entrance Qualification) Previous page
at Vocational Scholl in Goeppingen Nextpage
from 1968 Studies at the faculty of Foundry- and Home
to 1971 Material Science at the Polytechnikum in Question
Friedberg/Hessia Print
(Graduate Engineer for Foundry Technology) Contact

60. Profile (1)
reliable Knowledge – generated by experience
Teaser
Vision
from 1971 Bopp & Reuther GmbH in Mannheim Mission
to 1973 Head of Core Shop and Shell-Mould Foundry Paradigm
Motivation
Profile
from 1973 MAHLE GmbH in Stuttgart - Bad Cannstatt
Development
to 1978 Scientist in the
ServicesOffered
Research- and Development Department Stuttgart
Results
from 1978 Department Manager
to 1979 in the Low Pressure Foundry Markgröningen
Previous page
from 1979 +Georg Fischer+ GmbH in Mettmann Nextpage
to 1980 Project Manager for Process Development Home
of high-quality Aluminium Castings Question
on Green-Sand Molding-Lines
Contact

61. Profile (2)
reliable Knowledge – generated by experience
Teaser
Vision
from 1980 Compagnie Europeene Mission
to 1983 de Techniques de Fonderie SA Paradigm
in Soultzmatt / Haute Rhin (France) Motivation
Profile
Director of the Aluminium Wheel Foundry
Development
ServicesOffered
from 1983 ALUTEAM Results
to 1986 Form- und Schmiedetechnik GmbH in Duren
Department Manager for Product- and Process
Development for Aluminium - Castings- and -Forgings Previous page
Nextpage
from 1986 Kloth-Senking Metallgießerei GmbH Home
to 1991 in Hildesheim Question
Managing Director (Technique and Sales)
Contact

62. Profile (3)
reliable Knowledge – generated by experience
Teaser
Vision
from 1991 VAW alucast GmbH in Dillingen / Saar Mission
to 1997 Chairman of the joint Management Board Paradigm
(formerly EB-Präzisionsguss GmbH / founded 1992 ) Motivation
Profile
Development
since 1998 VAW motor GmbH in Bonn
ServicesOffered
Managing Director of the Holding Results
of the Engine Casting Division
since 2000 VAW automotive products in Bonn Previous page
Senior Vice President of Business Unit Castings Nextpage
Sole responsibility for the Engine Casting Division Home
Question
Contact

63. Profile (4)
reliable Knowledge – generated by experience
Teaser
Vision
since 2002 Hydro Aluminium Automotive in Köln Mission
Senior Vice President der Business Unit Castings Paradigm
Sole responsibility for the Casting Division Motivation
Profile
(after acquisition of VAW aluminium AG by Norsk Hydro ASA Norway)
Development
ServicesOffered
from 2007 Nemak Europe GmbH in Frankfurt Results
to 2009 Chief Executive Officer of
European and Asian/Pacific Operations
(after acquisition of Hydro Aluminium Castings by Nemak S.A. Previous page
Monterrey/Mexico) Nextpage
Home
Question
Print
Contact

64. Profile (1)
new perspectives – through further education
Teaser
1976 IT-Systems and Technology VHS Vision
Accounting / Controlling MAHLE Mission
Value Analysis / Value Design MAHLE Paradigm
Motivation
Profile
1976 Problem Solving Methodology MAHLE
Development
Economics MAHLE
ServicesOffered
Meetings and Discussions MAHLE Results
1977 Alloying with Grey Cast Iron VDG
Statistical Method Technische Akademie Previous page
Jurisprudence for engineers MAHLE Nextpage
Home
Question
1980 Economically Operating Plants REFA
Contact
1984 Sales Psychology F&A