Strategic cooperation between Mercedes-Benz and Kecskemét College

The declaration of intention was signed by József Danyi, the Rector of Kecskemét College and Frank Klein, the Executive Director of Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary Ltd. in the presence of József Pálinkás, the President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and Gábor Zombor, the Mayor of Kecskemét.

Gábor Zombor, Frank Klein, József Danyi and József Pálinkás

After József Pálinkás's welcoming words, József Danyi, the Rector emphasized: "I would like to believe that in the Daimler's decision to establish the Kecskemét Factory played a part that a higher education institute of engineering operates in our town. Today's event is the sign of trust, which substantiates our cooperation with Mercedes for a long time."

Oliver Wollinsky (Production Manager of Mercedes) is between László Palkovics (Strategic Vice-Rector) and Frank Kein (Executive Director)

Frank Klein, the Executive Director of Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary Ltd. said: "Providing new supplies has central importance for us as we plan for a long term. Besides the theoretical education, we have to emphasize the practical training so that our professionals can give proper quality during the process of the production. The contract signed today confirms that we have made a good decision with Kecskemét Factory. We would like to make our town the strongest automotive centre. Today's decision is also important for the whole industry of Kecskemét. I am glad to work together, and I am looking forward to the first Mercedes Made in Hungary."

Mayor Gábor Zombor emphasized that the contract would enhance the position of Kecskemét College. It is important that the presence of Mercedes bring development in the whole town and stable workplaces for the students graduated at the College." I wholeheartedly hope that growing number of Kecskemét students will study here, and with a diploma in their hands they will stay in our town increasing that intellectual capital which Kecskemét has always abounded in." He wished the College and the Daimler to fill in this cooperation decision with material as soon as possible.

Frank Klein and Szemereyné Pataki Klaudia (Deputy Mayor responsible for the Mercedes Project) at the reception

In the centre of the decision is the collective intention of Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary Ltd. and Kecskemét College to realize practice-oriented dual education system. In that way the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Automation (GAMF) of Kecskemét College can become an outstanding institute in the training of the automotive professionals. All these facts will provide new suppliers in the region, and at the same time it will strengthen the Kecskemét economic region as well.

According to the plans, after introducing a Speciality of Vehicle Manufacturing in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, a Department of Motor Vehicles will be established in a long term period. The rector, József Danyi said the documentation of the foundation of the Department of Motor Vehicles had been given in to the Hungarian Accreditation Committee. They hope this department will be able to start at the beginning of the next school year. The training concept is being developed together by the partners, and in addition Mercedes will help the students' professional development, for example they will give practice-centred seminars with active participation of the company's professionals and leaders.

The entrance of Kecskemét College

The cooperation between Mercedes and the College is long-standing: not long after the Daimler had known the site of the new factory, it held its first hearings (which required a site for practice too) at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Automation of Kecskemét College. And the College's foreign language centre - the Institute of Modern Languages - has won the language courses of the new staff in a tender.

Friday news is that the number of cars sold by Mercedes in October has increased by 11 per cent to 108.4 thousand cars (compared with the annual numbers). The growth of the company belonging to the Daimler Group was helped by the higher Chinese and American sales. From January to October the company sold 12 per cent more, 1.04 million cars altogether; 954.4 thousand cars of that were of Mercedes brand, this is 16 per cent of growth. The company expects 10 per cent of growth by the year of 2010.

Mercedes Factory is being build - from the birds' eye