Organisations and the Role of Human Resources

A new manager is starting in the organization shortly. You have been asked to provide a written briefing note for this new starter, so that they can gain some understanding of the organization in preparation for their start.

Unit: 3HRC
Understanding Organisations and the Role of Human Resources
Haldex Brake Products Ltd
1. Understand the purpose of an Organisation and its operating environment.

1.1. The purpose and goals of Haldex.
The purpose of Haldex is to, design develop and provide reliable and innovative solutions that improve safety, vehicle dynamics and environmental sustainability in the global commercial vehicle industry.

The Haldex vision is to be the global commercial vehicle industry’s preferred choice as an innovative solution provider, with a focus on brake and air suspension products. “Mission - We are a trusted source that earns partnerships with our customers by providing superior brake and air suspension products and excellent service. Our highly skilled employees are dedicated to support our customers’ businesses and are committed to their business practices.

Get quality help now

WriterBelle

Verified writer

Proficient in: Business

4.7 (657)

“ Really polite, and a great writer! Task done as described and better, responded to all my questions promptly too! ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

Vision - We will contribute to our customers’ success and achieve profitable growth by providing technology that improves vehicle performance and facilitates ease of operation. This creates value for both our customers and our shareholders.” (1)

1.2. What does Haldex Produce, and what services does it offer to its customers?
Product Range
Air Controls
- Air management systems
- Air suspension systems
- Electronic Braking Systems
- Tyre pressure monitoring systems
Foundation Brake
- Actuators
- Automatic Brake Adjusters
- Disc Brakes
- Electronic Lining wear sensors

Haldex produces both OEM products (Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is a term used when one company makes a part or subsystem that is used in another company's end product) which are built into vehicles, trucks and trailers during their manufacture, and aftermarket products which can be fitted to a vehicle, truck or trailer at any point during its lifetime.

Haldex offer support to their customers throughout the lifetime of their products. They assist with fitting, maintaining and servicing of the products. Haldex even offer training to external companies and individuals on how to install, maintain and work with our products.

Main Customers
Haldex customers are leading truck, trailer and commercial vehicle manufacturers and owners. Haulage and agricultural companies and independent consumers.

1.3. External factors that impact on the business activities of Haldex. Political – legislation change may impact Haldex activities e.g. European legislation may mean that our products need to become more eco friendly. This would mean a overhaul of all our products. Leaving the EU for example would have a massive affect on the business due to trade and resources required throughout Europe.

Social – Haldex relies a lot on the social impact of the business, word of mouth and reputation of the products is vital.
Technology – technology has a huge impact on the business, technological advance can be both helpful and harmful to the business. It can help with design and manufacture of the product but it could also render some of our teams useless if for example, technological advances brought in more efficient testing facilities. Environmental – things such as weather changes have a huge impact in the business. More wet and cold weather means our products have a shorter life span and redesign of some products may be need to suit different climates in different countries. E.g. a product that works well in Sweden may not work as well in India.

Legal – new legislation with regard to road safety would impact Haldex, it would mean new design more work and possibly bigger sales of products.
2. Understand the structure, culture and functions of an organisation
2.1. The structure of the organisation.
This division of Haldex is a research and development facility, with flat hierarchical structure that has a matrix of management that flows throughout various functional areas. Appendix 1 shows the different departments at this facility.

Mechanical Design – This is made up of designer who take the product specifications, design and produce technical drawing to enable production to build the products. This department also re-design when a product has failed or faults have been found.

Mechanical Development – This team test the products designed by mechanical design, they test every component for each product to ensure that they work and will not fail when in use. H&S / Materials – Works closely with mechanical development to ensure that testing is done correctly and to safe working practices.

Materials & application – This department produces the documentation to support the products, it also takes care of the marketing for the products for the UK only. Software & Homologation – This team ensure that the products have adequate software to support them out in the field. They produce the software to assist with testing, maintenance and diagnostics. Homologation ensure that all licenses and legislation is adhered to with regards to the software and programming. Vehicle Test – This team test the products on vehicles in our test facilities, they make sure that the products work properly and efficiently before they can begin to be manufactured. Electronics – This department take the designs and build the electronics that make them work. Administration – This department covers all the admin and HR requirements for this facility. Including patents.

2.2. How do these functions work together?

All departments have to work very closely together to achieve the desired result from the products and ideas. Project meetings and constant communication are required. If they did not work together the designs would fail and a finished working product could never be achieved.

2.3. The culture of the organisation

Haldex is a company that values its employees, and the employees value Haldex. It is an innovative and progressive employer that is process and KPI driven. The employees of Haldex work well in this environment because they achieve and can see the end product. There are many long serving employees at Haldex and several employees that have started from school that are now in director and vice president positions. The  variety of different ages, skill sets and experience give the company a ‘family’ feel. Haldex is very much a ‘role culture’ business.

3. How does HR support the organisation

3.1. What HR activities support the organisation
Recruitment – HR Develops recruitment strategies and new business needs. HR satisfies person and role criteria by assessing and vetting of applications and interviewing candidates. Recruitment is vital to the business to ensure that we have the correct skill set and new talent coming into the business. Policies and Procedures: HR create manage and implement the business policies and procedures. Policies and procedures are vital to set standards for all members of staff. Policies and procedures are generally led by legislation so HR make sure that as legislations are updated, so too are the policies and procedures for the company.

Training and Development: HR take the information from reviews, appraisals and talent profiles to identify where there are training requirements within the business. HR will then source the training and ensure the employees attend. The results will then be analysed and fed back into the business. This is an essential need for the business.

3.2. How does HR support line managers and their staff?
The human resource department’s main function is to support the workforce needs of the organization. HR support line managers and their staff by assisting with such things as grievances and disciplinarians. HR implement policies and procedures in line with legislation in order to keep the business from situations which may lead to such things as tribunals.