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In 1992, a new program was introduced which - under the acronym "GROWTTH" (Get Rid Of Waste Through Team Harmony) - turned to be extraordinarily successful.

Over a period of four days, in groups comprising eight to twelve staff, specific tasks and problems are analyzed, solutions decided on, and in most cases implemented as well. These working groups are made up of staff from various levels of the hierarchy and from different functions, without any particular pecking order in the group itself. The principle adopted is that GROWTTH groups will always include staff from other departments as well, who do not encounter the specific problem in their own work, and often, indeed, executives from our customers as well. This regularly produces a frank and constructive climate for discussion, where each participant learns to respect the skills and input of the others.

It also gives them a feeling of achievement when the decisions are put immediately into practice, without having to seek permission, and when everyone can see the results of his/her own contribution. After another four weeks, the GROWTTH group gets together again, checks to see how the changes they introduced are working out, and decides on any modifications needed.

On Dr. Peter Stehle's initiative, the GROWTTH groups have also been introduced in the European plants of Seals and Vibration Control Technology - first of all at Freudenberg Technical Products in the UK, but soon after in all the Business Group's other facilities as well. It was everywhere apparent that its success was in no way hindered by different national mindsets -- very often, in fact, staff from other countries were also involved in the teamwork sessions.