It's more than likely that next Sunday will see Germany and France meet each other in soccer's World Cup Final - but today in the macabre chess match that currently passes for management at EADS it was Germany that came out on top.
Consider: gone are the CEO of Airbus - the self-effacing Gustav Humbert who has fallen on his sword even though it is far from clear what role he played in the recent troubles; and also the co-CEO of EADS Noel Forgeard, whose limitless self-belief finally tried even the patience of his countrymen.
Humbert was allowed the dignity of a personal statement via his employers, Forgeard, who has come to embody French interests in the company, has gone so far without a public word.
And the replacements? For Forgeard, read Louis Gallois - as French as the man he replaces but one of the original architects of EADS, and brought back in surely as a reassuring presence to steady the ship. For Humbert, read Christian Streiff. Who? Well, Streiff's primary characteristic is the way his career has straddled France and Germany working for the French group Saint-Gobain.
And his hometown, if you read French, turns out to be in the distinctly German-flavoured Moselle region. More pertinently, however, he will report not to Gallois but to EADS German co-CEO Tom Enders, who has remained virtually untouched by the recent corporate and personal horrors that have poisoned the company.
The seat of power has shifted and as I write this it seems that there is a key development in the process of extricating British interests from Airbus - appropriate, given England's miserable exit from the World Cup last night. One way or another, Germany has flexed its muscles this week.
Comments (2)
Boeing's restraint during this mess is admirable. Randy Basler's blog had a post that amounted to "it's hard to build big airplanes and Airbus is a tough competitor and they'll be back", which is gracious considering the invective Forgeard and Airbus have directed its way in the past (e.g. "Chinese copy of an A330").
But it's also wise. When your opponent is engaged in destroying itself, don't interrupt. Since the scandal broke, Boeing has given Airbus, France, Germany et al, little reason for remembering who the common enemy is, thereby keeping the focus on each other. Boeing's interests are best served by keeping its mouth shut and quietly enjoying the schadenfreude and so far it's managed that well.
enplaned
Posted by Anonymous | July 3, 2006 3:41 PM
Posted on July 3, 2006 15:41
Airbus and EADS have finally pulled the plug on the dynamic duo, but have they solved the real problem? I don't think so! For too long Airbus has been operating on the sizzle factor, selling the aroma, but not the steak.
The replacements are probably fine gentlemen, but the French seem to have their fingers two deeply entrenched in the pie, and therein lies the problem, Airbus does not need more French influence, it needs hard nosed no bull***t brass tacks guidance, if it does not make some drastic changes in the way it does business, it will fail. The losses shareholders have endured are colossal, there is zero confidence in Airbus, and did Airbus sell more airplanes because they are better or cheaper, No! they didn't, they can thank Boeing for that.
Boeing got caught in the trap of complacency, they had their own share of Management blunders, and affairs, although none as bad as Airbus. And now they are off and running anew with success after success leading the way! The 777 and 787 is absoulutly killing Airbus, and as everyone knows a new 737 is sitting on the drawing boards waiting to take off, just another challenge Airbus must meet.
Can Airbus rise to meet all its tremendous challenges? that remains to be seen! anyway you look at it, their future is clouded, and the forks in the road are many, One hopes that their Pilots can guide them to a safe landing.
Ken
Posted by Anonymous | July 3, 2006 5:36 PM
Posted on July 3, 2006 17:36