COMPANY GUIDELINES

GERMAN DESIGN CONSULTING INC. | LAST UPDATED, May 1st, 2025

  • Code of conduct
  • Confidentiality, ethics and business practices
  • Social responsibility and sustainability
  • Health and safety and environmental protection

German Design Consulting, Inc. (GDC) is a professional consulting company based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 2006, the company offers the full spectrum from design model to full-size car and supports clients from the first sketch all the way to the model ready for presentation. Top-quality, flexibility and professionalism have made GDC a partner relied upon by major car manufacturers and industry groups. Clay and hard modeling, CAD modeling, digitalization, milling, rapid prototyping and CAS services are just some of our areas of expertise. A passion for perfection and top levels of customer satisfaction have earned GDC an excellent reputation.

The shared guiding principles are reflected in the corporate policy and agreed objectives. The specifications set out by these company guidelines form a uniform minimum standard and are binding. In addition to their role model function, it is the task of all managers to integrate the guidelines into company life and to monitor adherence. These company guidelines set out the general parameters and serve as a code of best practice. These guidelines do not replace any instructions on conduct, process descriptions, procedural rules, or industry-wide laws or standards.
If, despite careful review, any guideline contradicts applicable law, the law shall prevail.

Code of conduct

Adhering to laws, standards and guidelines.
All GDC staff have to adhere to the laws, standards, guidelines and principles applicable at any given time.

Our guiding principle is:

  • We operate responsibly.
  • We fulfill our clients’ wishes and requirements.
  • We live our corporate policy.
  • We take social responsibility.
  • We operate in a cost-conscious manner.
  • We work together.

Confidentiality and data protection

Within the bounds of business confidentiality, we communicate transparently. All rules relating to operational and business secrets have to be followed. Adherence to data protection laws and security guidelines is mandatory.

Customer data is afforded special protection and is communicated only to a limited degree. Private use of the Internet, software and hardware is not allowed.

Competition law

We expect all our employees to comply with competition law. Competition laws apply to all business arrangements, irrespective of whether they are in written, oral or any other form.

All employees are required to comply with the international and national laws safeguarding fair competition. This includes, in particular, the provisions on unfair competition and anti-trust laws. Agreements with competitors on prices, terms of sale, quantity restrictions, sharing territory and on offers in public tenders, etc., are strictly prohibited. Any other exchange of information that could limit fair competition must also be avoided. Contacts with our competitors should be kept to a minimum. Furthermore, we do not discuss strategies with our competitors or exchange sensitive business or technical information with them.

Corruption prevention

Adherence to the prevailing legal regulations in relation to combating corruption is mandatory. No gifts or benefits in kind beyond ‘normal’ promotional gifts may be accepted. Binding dependencies must not be created.

There must be no granting of advantages, no criminal acts preventing free competition, no bribery and no corruption. Everything must be done to prevent fraud, breaches of trust or any other criminal acts of corruption by GDC employees or any third parties.

Dealing with company property

All employees treat GDC’s assets carefully. Any and all theft is reported and has legal consequences.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property rights are to be respected, transfer of technology and know-how is to be done in a manner that protects intellectual property rights, and customer and supplier information is to be safeguarded.

Protection of Identity and Non-Retaliation

Programs that ensure the confidentiality, anonymity and protection of supplier and employee whistleblowers are to be maintained unless prohibited by law. Participants should have a communicated process for their personnel to be able to raise any concerns without fear of retaliation.

Internal and external perception

All GDC employees and their representatives work professionally and in the interest of the company.

Entering into contracts

The objective of entering into any contract is the creation or maintenance of a customer relationship, taking into consideration GDC’s long-term, profitable business development.

Social responsibility, sustainability and zero tolerance of discrimination

Discrimination against employees in any form whatsoever is forbidden. This includes discrimination on the grounds of sex, race, skin color, disability, origin, religion, age, pregnancy or sexual orientation.

Working hours

Adherence to the prevailing statutory regulations and trade provisions in relation to working hours and to industry standards is mandatory.

Pay and social benefits

GDC pays for work done in accordance with prevailing statutory and trade provisions. Provision is made for all statutory social-welfare benefits.

Staff interaction

GDC employees are mindful of interacting with each other in a fair and respectful manner. New members of staff are carefully introduced to the company processes and peculiarities.

Prevention of child and forced labor

No form of child or forced labor is tolerated.

Information and communication

All employees have access to the provisions of these company guidelines. They are likewise available to business partners and suppliers on our website.

Quality and workmanship

GDC makes long-lasting products that fulfill the contractually defined quality criteria and can be used for their intended purpose.

Counterfeit Parts

GDC implements and maintains methods and processes appropriate to our products and services to minimize the risk of introducing counterfeit parts and materials into deliverable products.

Customs, Trade & Export Control

All transactions, regardless if they are crossing borders or transferred within the same country, may be subject to national and international customs, trade and/or export control regulations.

GDC is committed to complying with all customs, trade and export control regulations, considering potential conflicting regulations among the countries in which we operate. The failure to do so can result in civil and criminal liability and loss of export privileges.

Promoting high standards in the supply chain

The supplier is aware of the sustainability standards and is equally obliged to follow them.

Handling tip-offs and queries

All well-founded suspicions of breaches against these guidelines must be reported.

Financial Integrity

Our books and records must accurately and fairly reflect our transactions in sufficient detail and in accordance with our accounting practices and policies. Some employees have special responsibilities in this area, but all of us contribute to the process of recording operational results or maintaining records.

Our Core Value of Accountability reflects our commitment to ensure that we are financially responsible:

  • We are fiscally responsible.
  • We hold ourselves and our colleagues responsible for the outcomes of our choices, behaviors and actions.
  • We take responsibility for all outcomes, positive and negative.

Our Core Value of Integrity reflects our commitment to ensure that we are financially responsible:

We are honest, fair, and transparent with our GDC colleagues, partners, and all who benefit from our work.

Business Records

The accuracy and completeness of our disclosures and business records is essential to making informed decisions and to ensure accountability to our partners, regulators and others. Ensure that the information you record is accurate, timely and complete, and maintained in a manner that is consistent with our internal controls, disclosure controls and our legal obligations.

Sanctions

In the event of a breach, the right is reserved, depending on the severity of the breach, to initiate legal proceedings.

Health and safety

As an employer, GDC ensures health and safety at work in line with the national provisions and supports the constant ongoing development in relation to improving the working environment.

Necessary measures to avoid accidents and any impairment of health are taken and it is expected at the same time that employees act responsibly and adhere to regulations.

Environmental and climate protection

Applicable laws and regulatory minimums in relation to climate and environmental protection must be followed.

Resources must be used sparingly and waste is to be avoided or reduced. GDC looks at its production processes from a holistic perspective and organizes them with the environment very much in mind.



Los Angeles, May 1st, 2025
Glen Sutherland