Author: Kloepfel
Three Case Studies With savings of 7.3 million euros and a savings rate of 21.8 percent, KLOEPFEL Consulting demonstrated the enormous potential of Technical Sourcing in 2024. This was achieved while maintaining or even improving quality. The successes span across various industries such as construction supplies, automotive, household appliances, aerospace, and mechanical engineering. Three impressive case studies illustrate the effectiveness of the applied methods: Case Study: Technical Sourcing for a Global Leader in Measurement and Control Technology Initial Situation The company manufactures high-precision measuring instruments for various industrial applications. A key component of these products are recurring mechanically processed parts.…
Those who want to do the climate a favor can even receive a grant for it. Now is the right time to act. Invest, Become More Efficient, Secure Funding Companies investing in energy-efficient technologies, process optimization, or decarbonization face a crucial opportunity. With the Federal Funding for Energy and Resource Efficiency in Industry (EEW), the government supports businesses in becoming more sustainable while receiving substantial grants. The EEW Funding – What’s Behind It? The Federal Funding for Energy and Resource Efficiency in Industry is the central program of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), which supports…
Successful negotiations are key to better terms, stable supply chains, and long-term partnerships. But negotiation skills are not a matter of chance – they can be strategically developed! Our hands-on training “Successful Negotiations with Suppliers” teaches you proven strategies and techniques to help you negotiate with confidence. Over the course of two intensive training days, you will learn how to define your negotiation goals, identify negotiation styles, and apply the best tactics for your counterpart. Take this opportunity to strengthen your negotiation power, connect with other professionals, and gain immediately applicable methods. Date: May 6–7, 2025, 9:00 AM – 5:00…
EPSA Germany has been awarded the kununu Top Company seal for 2025. Find out what makes the company stand out as an employer and why it is among the best in Germany. EPSA Germany has been awarded the kununu Top Company Seal for 2025. This award is based on honest reviews from employees and represents a work environment characterized by trust, appreciation, and development. As a result, EPSA is one of the highest-rated employers in Germany. The kununu Seal is one of the most meaningful employer awards in the German-speaking world. It is awarded solely based on the reviews of…
Where engineering meets procurement, unexpected savings emerge In times of global crises, unstable supply chains, and rising production costs, technical sourcing is becoming a strategic lever for companies. Especially in industrial sectors—ranging from mechanical engineering and automotive suppliers to aerospace—procurement departments are under pressure. They must reduce costs while simultaneously ensuring quality and supply security. The unique Technical Sourcing approach by KLOEPFEL Consulting offers tangible solutions with measurable savings and a win-win strategy for all stakeholders. KLOEPFEL Consulting has systematically developed this concept and refers to it as the “Success Triangle”: Price improvements in strategic procurement Cost engineering for analyzing…
AI as an Opportunity for SMEs Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the economy and offers significant opportunities, especially for German small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, highlighted three crucial insights in his recent analyses that will shape the future. These insights pertain to investments in AI, decreasing costs for its use, and the exponential development of intelligence itself. In this article, you will learn more about these trends and their significance for the economy, particularly for medium-sized businesses. 1. More Money = Smarter AI According to Altman, the performance of AI is largely dependent on…
Karsten Pawlofsky, Manager at Kloepfel Consulting, on his role as a true maker within the team At the Kloepfel Group, we are the place for makers. THE MAKER’S PLACE stands for pragmatic procurement consulting and results-oriented solutions – developed by makers, for makers. Karsten Pawlofsky, Procurement Manager and Seminar Leader at Kloepfel Consulting, is responsible for Kloepfel-Training. Together with his team, he organizes customized training sessions that help companies optimize their procurement strategies and support the targeted development of their employees. His focus lies in hands-on negotiation training, on-the-job coaching, and potential analyses. In this interview, he shares his “I’ll…
How to start the transformation A conversation with Frank Wischnewski, Head of Transformation at Kloepfel Group, about obstacles, opportunities, and tips for taking the first steps. Frank, why is it high time to transform procurement? Frank Wischnewski: The past few years have clearly shown how vulnerable global supply chains can be. At the same time, demands for efficiency, resilience, and sustainability are increasing. Companies that still view procurement only as an operational function are missing out on huge potential. Many procurement departments work with outdated processes, which costs time, money, and energy. Now is exactly the right time to position…
Executive Dinner at the Hyatt Regency Düsseldorf We are pleased to invite you to our Executive Dinner on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the exclusive River Salon at the Hyatt Regency Düsseldorf. The evening will focus on the topic: “Family Business 4.0 – 50 Theses for Securing the Future of Your Company.” Our guest speaker, Prof. Dr. Arnold Weissman, a leading strategist for owner-managed and family-run businesses, will share his invaluable insights and experience. As founding partner of the Weissman Group, member of multiple advisory boards (including Fressnapf SE), and founder of the F.U.N. family business network,…
Donald Trump’s punitive tariffs have brought customs duties back into focus for many companies. At KLOEPFEL Consulting, we frequently observe in practice that customs-related issues are often neglected. That’s why we’ve developed a compact checklist to help companies optimize their customs strategy, minimize risks, and increase transparency. Building Customs Expertise with a “Foreign Trade Task Force” Establish a multidisciplinary Foreign Trade Task Force consisting of representatives from procurement, logistics, sales, legal, IT, and management. This task force should assume the following responsibilities to manage customs effectively and ensure transparency: Analyze customs relevance: Identify products, supply chains, and markets relevant to…
Practical Negotiation Training On February 14, 2025, our office hosted a full-day negotiation training session, providing participants with hands-on insights into the art of negotiation. The workshop was structured into three key areas: Negotiation Strategy How can negotiation outcomes be optimized through an overarching strategy? A special focus was placed on the targeted use of consequences—both incentives and sanctions—to effectively steer negotiations. Negotiation Tactics Every negotiation round requires thorough preparation. In this section, participants learned how strategic planning can influence the dynamics of individual negotiation rounds. Negotiation Techniques This segment focused on the use of questioning techniques, rhetoric, and other…
Marius, Head of AI, on his role as a maker in the team At Kloepfel Group, we are the place for makers. THE MAKER’S PLACE stands for pragmatic procurement consulting and results-oriented solutions—developed by makers for makers. Marius Hoppensack, Head of AI at Kloepfel Consulting, develops practical AI solutions with his team to sustainably strengthen companies. His area of expertise includes AI best practices, AI potential analyses, customized AI software solutions, as well as AI workshops and training. In this interview, he talks about his “I’ll do it” story, the dynamics at Kloepfel, and why now is the right time…
Resilient Supply Chains and AI as Top Priorities for Procurement Leaders A recent international survey conducted by the Kloepfel Group reveals that procurement professionals consider supply chain resilience and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as the top priorities for procurement leaders. The LinkedIn survey, initiated by Marc Kloepfel, CEO of the Kloepfel Group, gathered responses from 143 procurement managers worldwide. Survey Results Participants were asked to identify the primary focus areas for procurement leaders today. The results show a balanced distribution of priorities: • Supply chain resilience: 30% • Artificial intelligence: 26% • Sustainability: 23% • Agile procurement: 21%…
What Companies Can Learn from Cleanfix Swiss cleaning machine manufacturer Cleanfix has established a new assembly plant in India. The company was supported by an expert team of engineers, supply chain specialists, and procurement professionals from Projekt Professionals and Kloepfel Services. Based on this project, the consultants have derived 10 valuable lessons for other medium-sized companies. Why India? Cleanfix, known for its robust and innovative cleaning machines, chose India as a location to tap into the vast market potential of the 1.4-billion-strong country. India stands out as the world’s largest democracy with a young average age, promising demographic trends, and…
Competency Development for Procurement Experts through Tailored Training Our KLOEPFEL Academy offers customized training programs designed to strengthen the competencies of procurement teams. Through interactive modules with high practical relevance, we help companies systematically develop their procurement expertise. Below are some typical client examples: 1. Procurement Team of a Manufacturing Company A four-member procurement team undergoes training via TEAMS in five three-hour modules over three months. 2. Procurement Team of a Luxury Goods Company The core four-person team of a luxury goods company receives a two-hour module each month for two years, covering a broad range of procurement topics.…
Kloepfel Consulting recently hosted the online breakfast event “Executive Morning Hour – Transformation in the Automotive Industry” with Prof. Dr. Markus W. Exler (Partner, nexum AG). In this exclusive circle of top executives—including managing directors, board members, shareholders, and representatives of family businesses—the future of the industry was discussed in depth. A key topic was the role of artificial intelligence (AI) as a driver of transformation. This article summarizes the most important insights, particularly regarding AI applications in the automotive sector. Prof. Dr. Markus Exler provided a clear yet challenging analysis: “The German automotive industry currently faces a margin problem.…
Interview on the One-Stop Service for Procurement, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management Why is KLOEPFEL’s One-Stop Service so unique? Patrick Esselborn: Our One-Stop Service supports companies of all industries and sizes—from medium-sized mechanical engineering firms to global pharmaceutical corporations—in tackling the skills shortage in procurement, logistics, and supply chain management. Instead of offering isolated individual services, we combine Executive Search, Interim Management, and Outsourcing. This allows us to provide tailor-made 360° solutions, perfectly aligned with the specific challenges of each company. Whether dealing with sudden large orders, crisis situations, outsourcing procurement processes, setting up new factories, filling permanent positions, or…
Study by Fraunhofer IAO and the Bertelsmann Foundation on Dual Transformation Sustainability remains imperative not only due to the climate crisis, writes the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering (IAO) in a press release. According to the institute, there is no universal solution for the dual transformation of sustainability and digitalization in companies. However, it is clear that a strong commitment from management and the willingness to involve employees are key success factors for medium-sized enterprises. Factors and Framework Conditions for Dual Transformation in a Corporate Context On this topic, the Fraunhofer IAO conducted a study on behalf of the Bertelsmann…