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International Expansion
with Tailored HR Solutions:
RPO, Assessment Centre & Cultural Training

The case study demonstrates supporting new talent structure launch with international expansion through a combination of flexible RPO services, tailored assessments, and cultural training. By adapting to the unique challenges of the Mexican market and providing data-driven insights, PRODENSA enabled a German client to establish and grow their new OEM plant successfully.

Table of contents

Overview

In 2015, a German automotive manufacturer sought to expand its operations by opening a new OEM plant in Mexico. This expansion was crucial to meet the growing demand for their products in North America. To ensure a successful launch and sustained operation of the new facility, the CLIENT engaged PRODENSA to provide comprehensive support, including Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), Assessment Centre services, and Cultural Training for European managers. This partnership has continued for over nine years, contributing to the CLIENT’s successful expansion and operational excellence in Mexico and is ongoing.

Project Stages

Evaluation & Market Intelligence

The project began with an in‑depth evaluation supported by PRODENSA’s Market Intelligence (MI) team. This stage involved analyzing talent data, assessing the availability of skilled manpower, and understanding compensation trends at various levels of seniority. The insights gained from this evaluation were critical in shaping the CLIENT’s recruitment and HR strategies for the new plant.

Recruitment & Selection

Following the market evaluation, PRODENSA’s HR team took charge of the recruitment and selection process. The objective was to meet the CLIENT’s ambitious hiring goals month by month, ensuring that the new facility was staffed with highly skilled professionals. PRODENSA also managed the selection filters and reporting processes, providing the CLIENT with regular updates and ensuring transparency.

Assessment Centre Management

PRODENSA established an Assessment Centre to evaluate all new employees, ensuring they met the CLIENT’s specialized standards. Recognizing the need to regionalize these standards for the Mexican market, PRODENSA recommended a tailored set of evaluations based on each employee’s seniority level. This approach ensured that all hires were appropriately qualified for their roles.

Cross‑Cultural Training

To facilitate the integration of European managers and directors into the North American culture, PRODENSA provided cross‑cultural training. This training was essential for fostering effective communication and collaboration between the European leadership and the local workforce, contributing to a harmonious and productive work environment.

Challenges & Solutions

  • Recruiting Highly Skilled Positions: The CLIENT needed to fill very specialized roles in a location where the automotive talent pool was not fully developed.
  • Solution: PRODENSA adapted its RPO services to be flexible enough to meet the CLIENT’s unique hiring needs, including sourcing talent from other cities to fulfill the hiring plan.
  • Regionalizing Specialized Evaluations: The company’s specialized evaluation processes needed to be adjusted to fit the target country’s market.
  • Solution: PRODENSA worked closely with the CLIENT to regionalize their evaluation standards and developed a customized set of assessments tailored to the Mexican market.
  • Cultural Integration: The cultural differences between European managers and the local workforce presented challenges in leadership and operational management.
  • Solution: PRODENSA provided cross‑cultural training to help European managers adapt to North American cultural norms, enhancing collaboration and reducing potential friction.

Project Outcome

The ongoing collaboration with PRODENSA has resulted in the successful hiring of over 2,500 employees, with more than 8,000 evaluations conducted through the Assessment Centre. The flexible RPO model allowed the CLIENT to meet their hiring requirements efficiently, while the tailored assessments ensured that all hires were well‑suited to their roles. The cross‑cultural training provided by PRODENSA helped European managers integrate smoothly into the North American operations, fostering a cohesive and effective leadership team.