Case Study: Hayes Lemmerz achieves profitability and stronger talent with Topgrading

Hayes Lemmerz - Customer Case Study

Hayes Lemmerz, an automotive OEM supplier with more than 6,000 employees globally, faced a major turnaround challenge after filing for bankruptcy in 2001. The company needed to rebuild profitability and strengthen its leadership bench, and it turned to Topgrading to improve hiring and promotion decisions while supporting its broader recovery efforts.

Topgrading helped Hayes Lemmerz implement a companywide talent process through HR-led workshops, tandem interviews, and annual management resource reviews to identify and develop A Players. The results were dramatic: the top ten executives became 100% A Players, the share of A Players among the top 77 managers rose from 38% to 89%, A Player new hires reached 74%, and A Player promotions reached 85%. Financially, losses of $211 million in 2001 became break-even in 2002 and $62 million in operating earnings in 2003, while EBITDA improved from $157 million in 2008 to $193.3 million in 2011.

Hayes Lemmerz

Curt Clawson

Chief Executive Officer