Detroit Diesel Reviews in Detroit, MI Area

Pros

The pay was well for not doing much work.

Cons

Lack of growth for hourly workers, hourly workers are not taken seriously.

Pros

Exposure working for huge corporation
Great orientation and training
Friendly Managers and teams
Weekly standardized performance reviews
High emphasis on safety and continuous improvement
Opportunities to meet with managers outside your functional area.

Cons

Operating on mismatched systems within Daimler companies and departments makes daily progress difficult
Little input on project choices
Spend a lot of time on unneccesary reporting metrics

Pros

competitive pay and benefits available

Cons

hard to move up if you are not German or have the right connections

Pros

The work is very fast-paced so everyday you have learning opportunities. As long as you come up with a solution they let you know to further your analysis and if you can back up your analysis appropriately, your study finds support.

Cons

Because of the acquisiton by Daimler there are still some problems about the integration of the companies so sometime you face problems about how the processes are strcutured. However, this is a laerning opportunity as well if you like challenges.

Advice to Senior Management

I think overall they are doing a good job. Especially managament level employees seem like they like what they are doing.

Pros

Flexible. Latest technology such as laptops, cells, PDAs, VPN and teleconf tools make working from home or remotely an option when "home" demands such. Generally adequate opportunities for moving about the company if you understand the system and big picture necessary to properly position oneself for eligibility. Small administrative HQ gave family feel. Easy to make good (or bad) impression in one's favor. Great benefits. Location makes for decent commute from all directions with alternate routes available in times of bad traffic, construction.

Cons

HR completely biased toward upper management. Pay scales uneven. Not "fitting in" doesn't seem generally favorable. Not enough genuine diversity. Pay for experience over education could be better balanced.

Advice to Senior Management

Diversity and new blood could pump new life into the establishment. Detroit Diesel is missing out on great talent by pruning those who don't fit the traditional mold. Not a bad organization but at some point the "lifers" have to go. Have a plan in order to be prepared for that transition.

Pros

Good benefits, average to good wage structure for experienced and tenured employees. Co-workers are generally good and kind.

Cons

The biggest issue we have is that the company is run by Germans who have little understanding of US culture, and interpret everything from the needs of the market to tuition reimbursement documentation through their training and cultural norms. Also it appears that since 2008 the company takes all direction from accountants which means cuts across the board as opposed to targeted, which means dissatisfied customers, and inabilty to meet demand for product and losing good employees who jsut happen to work in the same department.

Advice to Senior Management

Learn the difference between a manger and a leader......we all know the combined abilities at the top levels of DDC will not reach the same leadership value that Rodger Penske, alone, taught employees during his 10 year tenure (1988-1998) but the last 10 years with you have been one bad decision and disillusionment after the other.

Pros

good learning experience, easy interaction with Senior Management

Cons

Stress, excessive work hours, too much responsibility

Advice to Senior Management

better work-life balance; team building;

Pros

The pay was great, the people were so friendly. My favorite part about interning at this company is that you are not just another intern, but really a valuable asset to the company. I was given project and opportunities that most interns don't get the opportunity to do.

Cons

Detroit Diesel is a great place to work, the only problem is that they are really hurting right now because of the economy (although things are looking better). The only other con I can give is that the company is owned by a german company, so if you want to succeed in your company, you will need to go to Germany and your boss might be German

Advice to Senior Management

I was very impressed by the senior level management, although there are a few Germans in upper management that aren't as great.

Pros

It is a company where you'll know and be known by all, including the top dog. If you perform you'll be rewarded.

Cons

If you don't perform may not be rewarded if the company as a whole is not doing well. Automotive has a 2% profit margin. In heavy duty it can be around 20%. This works in both directions.

Advice to Senior Management

Listen to the complaints. Don't be afraid of admitting your mistakes and correcting them. If promoting someone to a position of incompetence occurs don't be afraid to fix the situation by demoting them back to where they came from.

Pros

The suffering is shared. We've all taken pay cuts and had to make sacrifices.
There are some truly dedicated and talented people you can learn alot from!
You generally have a great deal of autonomy in terms of how you do your job.....
Upper management is normally fairly accessible..
There are regular performance reviews for all salaried employees.
Benefits are still fairly competative (pensions etc...)

Cons

Absolute beauracracy. Archaic rules. The union is still treated and acts like an adversary. Hourly workers have no real incentive to be productive (are highly motivated to create overtime).
The expatriates absolutely reap the rewards. The ratio of Germans to Americans in senior management positions is deplorable. This is terrible for morale. There is a feeling that you have no where to go, Most senior managers have little practical experience within the processes or with actual problems on the shop floor.

Advice to Senior Management

Promote from within. Bring in college students for long term career development. Provide incentives for the hourly workforce to attain production targets. Give everyone a career path...