The Vorwerk Annual Report 2OO8

MANAGEMENT REPORT HUMAN RESOURCESprevail. In this respect the most promising approach is a long-term development of personnel as theyprogress through the various management levels. Appropriate division-specific programmes with thispurpose in mind are supported by Corporate Human Resources.Being an international company, Vorwerk endeavours to have trusting and efficient cooperationbetween all members of staff across all national borders. The growing numbers of persons with aninternational focus in their work are prepared for global assignments with language and interculturaltraining programmes. The proportion of management staff at Head Office and divisional levels witha non-German cultural background is constantly increasing.Vorwerk strives for good working conditions and compatibility between family and career.Regular staff surveys allow evaluation of the personnel policy. Individual measures such as theestablishment of a ‘mother-child’ bureau at Head Office as well as participation in external audits andthe implementation of recommendations contribute to positively positioning the employer Vorwerktowards employees and potential staff. Targeted personnel development, not only in direct selling,will grow in significance in the future.Staff (annual average) 2005 2006 2007 2008Direct SalesDivision Kobold 4,086 4,413 4,562 4,625Division Thermomix 874 914 968 954Division Feelina 21 27 23 23Division Lux Asia Pacific 4,171 3,701 3,439 2,411Division JAFRA Cosmetics 1,411 1,454 1,543 1,635HECTAS Facility Services 12,130 11,653 11,558 12,105Vorwerk Carpets 343 337 342 352Others 127 129 135 150Total* 23,163 22,628 22,570 22,255Self-employed sales advisers (annual average)Division Kobold 10,709 10,398 9,736 9,335Division Thermomix 15,097 14,614 16,361 18,569Division Feelina 263 284 280 152Division Lux Asia Pacific 2,925 3,177 1,887 1,799Self-employed sales advisers ”household appliances“ 28,994 28,473 28,264 29,855Self-employed sales advisers JAFRA Cosmetics 435,348 482,384 515,151 525,863Self-employed sales advisers in total 464,342 510,857 543,415 555,718akf group** 195 212 250 220Total Vorwerk Workforce 487,700 533,697 566,235 578,193of which sales advisers 467,626 514,046 546,897 558,872*Including employed sales advisers **akf group included in the consolidated statements at equity34