Author: Kloepfel
Backlash against behavior of Western countries The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has decided to restrict the export of the industrial metals gallium and germanium from August. In the future, a license will be required for export abroad. This measure is said to protect national security and interests. Gallium and germanium are needed in the semiconductor, telecommunications and electric vehicle industries. China is the world’s largest producer of these metals. The new export requirement followed the decision by many Western countries to reduce their dependence on the Chinese market while still keeping China as a partner. In addition, there is the…
MEB Battery Logistics’ concept convinces the jury The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) presented Volkswagen AG with the VDA Logistics Award at the Forum Automobile Logistics (FAL) in Herzogenaurach. Volkswagen won over the jury with its ‘MEB Battery Logistics’ concept. Every year, the VDA Logistics Award honors innovative logistics solutions that are intended to serve as groundbreaking examples for other companies in the automotive industry. Due to the diverse participation of automotive production, logistics and supply chain management, the Forum Automotive Logistics offers the ideal platform for jointly developing solutions and laying the foundations for a promising future,…
Autoren: Dr. Stephan Hofstetter, Partner Kloepfel Consulting; Mario Schmidtgen, Senior Partner Kloepfel Consulting The German Supply Chain Sourcing Obligations Act (abbreviated as LkSG), which was passed by the Bundestag on April 22, 2021, will apply to German companies with more than 3,000 employees from 2023 and to companies with more than 1,000 employees from 2024. The EU is also working on an even stricter amendment to the law to make companies in high-risk industries liable for as few as 250 employees. In this series of articles, we explain how you can comply with the LkSG with much less effort than…
Authors: Dr. Stephan Hofstetter, Partner Kloepfel Consulting; Mario Schmidtgen, Senior Partner Kloepfel Consulting Corporate carbon footprint The goal of the corporate carbon footprint is to first quantify the amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by their business activities in order to then reduce them with concrete measures and thus make their contribution to combating climate change. The carbon footprint is an important factor in applying ESG criteria when selecting investments, as it shows a company’s commitment to a more sustainable future and reducing environmental impacts. Emissions are broken down into Scope 1, 2 and 3 to quantify the direct and…
Author: Dr. Stephan Hofstetter, Partner at Kloepfel Consulting After the statement of principles, the journey towards a sustainable supply chain starts with the location assessment. What has already been implemented? What still needs to be implemented? How well prepared is the organization? Kloepfel Consulting’s Health Check examines precisely these questions. This analysis from an external perspective is highly valuable for companies as it provides expert knowledge from an independent standpoint. In addition to the internal requirements and measures for compliance with the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (abbreviated as LkSG), the examination of suppliers along the supply chain is crucial.…
Author: Miriam Jonas, Regional Sales Manager DACH at Prewave Prewave is a platform specializing in monitoring global supply chains to uncover potential sustainability risks. Prewave’s AI algorithm analyzes sources in over 50 languages and dialects, as well as over 140 risk categories, around the clock every day, ensuring that no disruptions go unnoticed. Sources include media reports, social media posts, and other public data sources (e.g., weather/earthquake data). This level of comprehensive coverage would be challenging for medium-sized companies to achieve on their own. Prewave provides a comprehensive view of a company’s supply chain and helps identify human rights violations,…
HWWI Commodity Price Index increases in April Index for Energy Raw Materials increases by 3.5% (US Dollar basis) Index for Industrial Raw Materials declines by 1.0% Index for Food and Beverages increases by 2.3% (Hamburg, May 5, 2023) The HWWI Commodity Price Index increased slightly in April,after falling sharply in the first quarter of 2023. It rose by 2.9% and was thus35.6% below the value for the same month last year. The individual indices developedmixed in April. The Index for Energy Raw Materials rose by 3.5% and the Index for Food andBeverages rose by 2.3 %. In contrast, the Index…
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SMEs shift investments abroad The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) conducted a survey of SMEs from May 15 to 23, 2023. 128 automotive suppliers and manufacturers of trailers, bodies and buses were surveyed. Based on these results, the VDA publishes statements on the current situation and prospects of the automotive industry in Germany. The survey shows that 27 percent of the companies surveyed are planning to relocate investments abroad. Of these, 43 percent would like to move to another EU country and 30 percent to North America. No company wants to increase its investments in Germany. VDA President…
Sam Altman signs call for AI regulation Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI and developer of ChatGPT, signs a call for compliance with comprehensive regulations regarding artificial intelligence (AI). He is joined by 376 other employees of major companies in the AI industry, as well as numerous scientists and professors, who sign. Among them is the head of Google Deepmind, Demis Hassabis. The American non-governmental organization “Center of AI Safety” publishes this appeal. Its mission is to minimize the risk of AI to humanity. The Center of AI Safety says, “Reducing the risk of annihilation by AI should be a global…
Planned CO2 reduction through power-to-heat technology The BMW Group is using an electrically heated ring-hearth furnace in one of its plants at the Dingolfing site. This is being done for the production of chassis and drive components. Heat generation using electricity is also called power-to-heat technology. “Due to its planned plant life of more than 40 years, the new curing oven marks a forward-looking course setting on our way to Net Zero,” says Marc Sielemann, who is responsible for purchasing, quality and production of powertrain, chassis and brakes at the BMW Group. Reduced CO2 emissions According to BMW, operation of…
Author: Dr. Stephan Hofstetter, Partner at Kloepfel Consulting. Challenges for supply chains Geopolitical tensions are intensifying. Key triggers lie in the relationship between China and Taiwan and, more generally, in China’s power-conscious posturing. The U.S. is responding with increased export restrictions to make it more difficult for China to access leading technology. The question is whether and how companies can strategically prepare for escalation scenarios in purchasing. Beijing is prepared to force Taiwan’s reunification with the mainland by violent means if necessary. In the Western economy, these military threatening gestures are incorporated into risk management in advance. In the last…
Author: Dr. Stephan Hofstetter, Partner at Kloepfel Consulting. As in the many crises before it, the current geopolitical situation underscores the importance of strategic supplier and risk management for many companies. Buyers and supply chain managers have learned from past crises and have recalibrated their assessment of opportunities and risks. The appetite for risk is significantly lower than it was just a few years ago. Accordingly, more and more companies are reassessing supply chain risks and aligning purchasing strategies. Below, we outline selected measures to address current risks in a global context. Trend towards global decoupling Many companies are responding…
Author: Dr. Stephan Hofstetter, Partner at Kloepfel Consulting. In this overview, we summarize the six fundamental steps from risk analysis to countermeasures for mitigating supply risks and a contingency plan in the worst-case scenario. Step 1: Identify and assess potential risks The risk analysis should be conducted based on product categories, suppliers, and countries in order to derive structured measures for risk management. Evaluate relevant risks in terms of their likelihood of occurrence (low, medium, high) and the potential impacts (low, moderate, severe) on your organization. Focus risk management measures on the most probable risks with high damage potential. Step…
Author: Dr. Stephan Hofstetter, partner at Kloepfel Consulting. The lower market price level and purchasing prices In recent months, prices for gas, electricity, and key raw materials have experienced significant declines. However, overall, prices have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. Nevertheless, compared to the enormous spikes seen last year, they are considerably more moderate. As a result, there is currently a high expectation for the short-term development of purchasing prices. At first glance, it may seem like an advantageous situation. However, upon closer inspection, a certain degree of disillusionment may set in. The actual leeway heavily depends on the…
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Improving the CO2 balance Porsche AG and aluminum producer Norsk Hydro ASA announce that they have jointly signed a memorandum of understanding. Together, the two companies aim to improve the carbon footprint of Porsche vehicles through CO2-reduced aluminum and aluminum extrusions. The companies also plan to develop a concept for an innovative value chain for battery materials as well as their recycling. According to Porsche, Hydro will supply the company and various Porsche suppliers with Hydro Reduxa 4.0 low-CO2 aluminum. Reducing the carbon footprint of aluminum According to the company, the aluminum starting material has one of the lowest CO2…
GDP grows by 4.5 percent in the first quarter China ended its zero-COVID policy at the end of last year, during which the economic strength of China declined. According to the Beijing Statistics Bureau, GDP grew by 4.5 percent from January to March 2023 compared to the same period last year. This marks the strongest quarterly growth in a year. High consumption as an economic driver Since the relaxation of COVID policies, the Chinese population has been engaging in more travel and shopping activities. According to the statistics bureau, the economic growth is attributed to the increasing consumer spending and…