Author: Kloepfel
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…
Sale of Private Label Business in North America The consumer goods and chemicals company Henkel is selling its private label business in North America to a subsidiary of First Quality Enterprises, LLC, based in Great Neck, New York. A corresponding agreement has been signed, Henkel recently announced. According to the company, the sale is part of the strategic portfolio optimization in its Consumer Brands division, which was announced in February 2022. Henkel states that the private label business includes products in the categories of laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and dishwashing detergents. The division generates revenues of €500 million and supplies…
Economic Realities Impact Technology Giant Bosch recently presented its preliminary financial figures for 2024, reporting a challenging business performance. According to the company, revenue in 2024 declined nominally by one percent compared to 2023, reaching €90.5 billion. Operating EBIT dropped to 3.2 percent. In the previous year, Bosch recorded an operating EBIT of €4.8 billion, as stated in its 2023 annual report. For 2024, Bosch reported an operating EBIT margin of 3.5 percent. Stefan Hartung, Chairman of the Board of Management at Robert Bosch GmbH, commented: “Despite our greatest efforts, Bosch could not escape economic realities. However, we managed to…
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Economic situation in Germany in January 2025 According to the Federal Statistical Office, the gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 0.1% in the fourth quarter, adjusted for price, seasonal, and calendar effects. The preliminary annual GDP result for 2024 shows a price-adjusted decline of 0.2%. While the manufacturing sector continues to be characterized by declining production, the situation in consumer-related services appears somewhat more favorable. A noticeable economic recovery in Germany is likely to begin only once there is greater clarity regarding economic, financial, and geopolitical conditions. Production stabilized somewhat in November, but orders declined due to volatile large-scale contracts.…
A Look at Visions, Strategies, and Their Impact With the upcoming 2025 federal elections, Germany faces pivotal decisions. Funding programs— the financial backbone of innovation, sustainability, and business development—play a crucial role. But how do political parties plan to shape this instrument in the future? What priorities do they set, and what does this mean for the economy and society? This article provides a comprehensive overview of the political parties’ plans for the future of funding policy. We not only highlight the differences but also examine the potential impact of each strategy on businesses, citizens, and Germany as an economic…
Bitkom Research, on behalf of the digital association Bitkom, conducted a telephone survey of 1,003 companies in Germany with at least 10 employees and an annual revenue of at least 1 million euros. The results show that 8 out of 10 companies have been affected by data theft, espionage, or sabotage. The survey was conducted between calendar weeks 16 and 24 of 2024. Link to the results. One of the main risks is employees unknowingly clicking on a dangerous link. For this reason, Kloepfel Group, specializing in procurement and supply chains, has developed a checklist for buyers and supply chain…
Torsten Althaus on a Temporary Basis – Efficient, Cooperative, and Results-Oriented Why did Siegfried AG choose to collaborate with Kloepfel? The decision to work with Kloepfel was made before my time at Siegfried, prior to my joining the company in February 2022. At that time, there was a discussion about whether to continue the project with Kloepfel. Ultimately, it was my decision to proceed with this collaboration. Kloepfel was able to absorb a high workload during the crucial initial phase of the project—one that we would have struggled to handle internally while managing our daily operations. This phase involved major…
Senior Procurement Consultant (f/m/d) www.kloepfel-karriere.com Procurement Consultant (f/m/d) www.kloepfel-karriere.com Junior Procurement Consultant (f/m/d) www.kloepfel-karriere.com
Sustainability, Synergies, and Challenges: Kloepfel Group and EPSA Grow Together Marc Kloepfel and Duran Sarikaya reflect on a dynamic year in 2024, during which the Kloepfel Group and EPSA Group made significant strides through strong synergies, innovative approaches, and growth. Highlights such as the establishment of EKODEV Germany, international procurement projects, and new business fields like energy consulting and AI-driven optimization marked groundbreaking steps for the future. In this interview, they discuss the growing importance of procurement in a challenging economic environment, the 2025 agenda for CPOs and procurement leaders, and the continued development of joint services and perspectives with…
The Path from Traditional Procurement to a Connected Value Partner Procurement in German SMEs is at a turning point: It must evolve from a purely operational function to a strategic, well-connected value partner. In a world shaped by technological upheavals, geopolitical uncertainties, and rising sustainability demands, it is no longer enough to simply control costs. The modern procurement function acts as a driver of innovation, resilience, and value creation—closely linked with both internal and external stakeholders. But how can this transformation succeed? The following seven priorities define the 2025 agenda and illustrate how procurement organizations can take the step into…
How the Automotive Industry Can Efficiently Manage Global Procurement Seemingly low procurement prices can carry significant, often overlooked, hidden costs in a global context. These “hidden costs” not only include transportation expenses and tariffs but also risks related to currency fluctuations, quality issues, and cultural differences that are often underestimated in complex international projects. Quality problems, for instance, require rework and claims management, which consumes not only additional financial but also time resources. Furthermore, a high exchange rate due to economic volatility can quickly erode the calculated savings. Cultural differences and language barriers in international supply chains also lead to…
Discover in the Handelsblatt advertorial how grant consultants bring companies onto the path to success Public grants and tax incentives for innovation and transformation projects are often unknown to companies or are not utilized – often due to respect for the complex grant bureaucracy. The great opportunity to drive business models forward is thus wasted. This dilemma can be solved by specialized grant consultants, who guide the application process with their expertise, all the way to approval. Four Reasons Why Grants Go Untapped Why do companies not claim available grants even though they have a good chance of approval? Firstly,…
The economic situation in Germany in December 2024 The German economy stagnated in the third quarter according to the revised GDP figures from the Federal Statistical Office. While there were losses in the manufacturing, construction, and business-related services sectors, there were increases in public services and consumer-oriented service sectors (hospitality, retail). This suggests a reduction in the reluctance to spend by private households, not least due to significant increases in nominal and real wages. However, the renewed deterioration of recent sentiment indicators and the ongoing high geopolitical and domestic political uncertainties still make it difficult to foresee a sustainable economic…
Multi-Year Partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Sportswear manufacturer Adidas has entered into a new multi-year partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. This was announced through a press release published by Mercedes-Benz on its website on January 7, 2025. The partnership is based on a shared commitment to performance and top-quality standards. Collection for the Team and Fans As part of the collaboration, Adidas, according to the press release, will design a complete collection for the entire Formula 1 team – including drivers, mechanics, and engineers. Additionally, there will be products for fans. Adidas will develop and launch…
Expansion of Freight Capacity with Boeing 777 Aircraft Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of the internationally operating airline Emirates, has expanded its presence in Scandinavia. Since January 1, 2025, the Dubai-based airline has been flying weekly to Copenhagen with a Boeing 777 freighter. Previously, Emirates only transported freight in the cargo hold of passenger planes to and from Copenhagen. Now, Emirates customers can access a capacity of 85 tons for goods. According to the company’s press release, this step is in response to rising demand, particularly from the pharmaceutical industry. Regarding Denmark, which Emirates considers to have strong life science…
Key Trends at the Technology Fair in Las Vegas The CES technology fair in Las Vegas began on Tuesday. It will be open until Friday, January 10, 2025, and is a major, internationally recognized industry event. The CES is organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA). Regarding the event, with numerous exhibitors and a large program, Gary Shapiro, CEO and Vice Chair of the CTA, said: “With a record number of over 3,400 submissions for innovation awards, more than 4,500 exhibitors, including about 1,400 startups, and 1,100 speakers in over 300 conference sessions, the fair is in full swing.” According…
Overview of Sustainability Activities of the Fashion Group This autumn, S. Oliver Group published its first sustainability report. According to the company’s press release, the report covers the fiscal year 2023. It provides a comprehensive overview of the fashion group’s sustainability activities, highlighting both key successes and challenges. The report also outlines a future plan for the company group. Foundation for Sustainability Management Regarding the importance of sustainability, Sabrina Müller, Head of Global Sustainability at S. Oliver Group, states: “Sustainability is an integral part of our company values and our identity. We aim to make a positive contribution, provide impulses,…