FRANKFURT--German industrial giant Schott AG is reshaping its international communications, handing a new global PR mandate to MSLGroup.

The decision marks the first time that Schott has entered into a global PR agency partnership. MSLGroup won the business following a competitive review that began with eight firms. Four agencies featured in the final round, which culminated in presentations in Mainz and New York.

In addition to Germany, core markets for the brief include the US, China and Japan. The account will be led by MSL Germany’s Frankfurt office, headed by MD Philip Maravilla and director Heiko Geibig.

“MSL convinced us with their strong footprint in Asia and the USA, the quality of their PR concept and their team presence across continents” said Klaus-Bernhard Hofmann, director of public relations and chief press officer for Schott.

“Schott has exciting products and topics – which we can help leverage with our know-how in building up and steering an international agency structure,” added MSL Germany CEO Wigan Salazar. “With Schott, we are adding a further Germany global industry player to our roster.”

The Schott win follows MSLGroup’s appointment as global AOR for Bosch earlier this year.

Schott is an international technology group with more than 125 years of experience in the areas of specialty glasses and materials and advanced technologies, ranking number one in the world for many of its products. Core businesses include the household appliance, solar power, pharmaceuticals, electronics, optics, transportation and architecture industries.