China National Machinery Industry Corporation (Sinomach) sent more than 20 of its staff to the French headquarters of Schneider Electrics from Aug 27 to Sept 9 for innovation and leadership training.

During the two weeks, trainees took part in serial courses taught by senior executives from Schneider’s major divisions as well as professors from some of the world’s leading business schools.

They learned about world specialist in energy management and automation, Schneider’s strategic transition, global expansion, energy and sustainability services, and its cutting-edge technologies such as smart cities, smart buildings and microgrids. Classes were even given by Schneider’s global CEO Jean-Pascal Tricoire, president of Schneider China, Zhu Hai, and Pascal Brosst, Schneider’s chief technology officer.

Schneider’s lecturers had trainees discuss promotion of Sinomach’s overseas business with Schneider’s resources over the globe and China’s Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative and “Made in China 2025” in groups.

The trainees also toured to its plants, smart exhibition hall, energy management and automation labs.

Eduardo Morcillo, associate professor at IE Business School in Spain, also managing partner with InterChina Consulting, gave lessons concerning Chinese firms’ mergers and acquisitions in western countries.

Francois Dupuy, professor from the European Institute of Business Administration (INSEAD), delivered a speech about organizational structure control and reform.

Jean-Pascal Tricoire, global CEO of Schneider Electric, lectures Sinomach's trainees. [Photo from sinomach.com.cn]