Author: Kloepfel

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,…

Mobile Robotics for Automated Warehouse Solutions Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is deploying mobile robotics from Geekplus Robotics in Dubai. According to the logistics company headquartered in Osnabrück, this move involves transforming its e-commerce center in Dubai CommerCity into an automated warehouse. In its press release, Hellmann explains that by integrating mobile robotics into its operations in Dubai, it is successfully continuing its innovation strategy. The implementation of Geekplus technology is part of a strategic direction to continuously integrate innovations into operational and process workflows. Enhanced Warehouse Capacity and Efficiency The new robotic solution, according to Hellmann, enhances operational efficiency. The press…

DHL Global Connectedness Tracker on Trade, Capital, Information, and People Flows Last week, DHL released the new DHL Global Connectedness Tracker, which is a report on the state of globalization. According to the logistics provider’s press release, the tracker shows how trade, capital, information, and people flows move around the world. Ratio of International to National Activity The DHL Global Connectedness Tracker, as explained by DHL, measures the ratio of international to national activity on a scale from 0 percent to 100 percent. The current value, according to DHL, is 25 percent, indicating a record level of globalization. This is…

Senior Procurement Consultant (f/m/d) www.kloepfel-karriere.com  

Hamburg, – 19. November 2024 – The HWWI-Commodity Price Index continued its downward trend from July in August and September, falling by -0.9% in August and -3.0% in September. In October, however, the index rose by 4.1% to 180.8 and is therefore -6.5% below the level of the same month last year (as of 15 November 2024). The decline in the HWWI-Commodity Price Index during August and September was mainly driven by falling oil prices. A combination of abundant supply and weakening global demand led to the price drop, with China’s slowing economy playing a significant role. Additionally, the transition…

Kloepfel Consulting and Crayon Help: Navigating the VMware Cost Explosion After Broadcom Acquisition The acquisition of VMware by Broadcom in November 2023 has far-reaching consequences for users of virtualized data center infrastructure. Following the fiscal year-end on October 31, 2024, Broadcom has announced significant price increases for VMware products, causing concern among many customers. Criticism from User Associations The VOICE Federal Association of IT Users has sharply criticized Broadcom’s and VMware’s market behavior in an open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The criticism includes the following points: Transition to a cloud subscription model, disadvantaging users Bundling…

Mastering Challenges, Seizing Opportunities Asia Sourcing as a Strategic Lever In our increasingly globalized world, procurement plays a crucial strategic role. Discussions and exchanges with the procurement community reveal that Asia Sourcing offers significant potential but also comes with a range of challenges. This article summarizes key insights and current trends in Asia Sourcing, which expose both risks and opportunities. Local Teams and Stakeholder Management as Success Factors One of the central insights is the importance of local teams. On-the-ground procurement professionals, combined with Supplier Quality Engineers (SQEs), are the backbone of successful global procurement strategies. They bridge the gap…

How Germany’s Key Industries Can Navigate the Crisis Germany’s industrial sectors, especially mechanical engineering and automotive suppliers, face significant competitive pressures. High costs, a shortage of skilled labor, and rising energy prices burden companies, along with the shift towards electric mobility. To maintain Germany’s position as an industrial hub, bold steps from both policymakers and businesses are required: innovations must be accelerated, costs reduced, and key location factors fundamentally improved. Innovation as the Key to Long-Term Success The German mechanical engineering and automotive industries are characterized by their innovation and adaptability. While mechanical engineering increasingly invests in technologies like digital…

Shipping Center with Nine Halls The Otto Group has opened a new logistics center in the small Polish town of Iłowa. According to the retail group’s press release, the foundation stone for the facility was laid nearly two and a half years ago. The site is described as one of the most modern and largest logistics hubs in Europe, according to the Otto Group. Regarding the investment amount, the group only hints in its press release at a mid-three-digit million euro sum. Michael Otto, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Otto Group, said during the opening: “The Otto Group…

Around $4 Billion for Ships from China Hapag-Lloyd is purchasing 24 new container ships from China. The Hamburg-based shipping company has signed contracts with two Chinese shipyards for the orders. According to Hapag-Lloyd’s announcement on Wednesday, the new vessels will have a total capacity of 312,000 TEU. Some of the ships will be used to expand capacity in existing services, while others will replace older units in Hapag-Lloyd’s fleet. Dual-Fuel Liquefied Natural Gas Engines All the new ships will feature low-emission high-pressure dual-fuel liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines, according to the logistics group’s press release. Additionally, Hapag-Lloyd states that the…

Integrated Supply Chain Solution for Industry The ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) has won one of the prestigious Supply Chain Excellence Awards (SCEA). The rail logistics company received the award jointly with Transporeon, a transport management platform, in the category “The Digital Transformation Award.” According to RCG’s press release, the two companies collaborated on a project that created a seamless integration of multimodal transportation into a single platform. This innovation is described by RCG as unparalleled across Europe. The SCEA ceremony took place on October 28, 2024, in London. Representatives from both companies were present to accept the award, according…

The collaboration between TESVOLT AG and EPSA Deutschland GmbH embodies a shared vision: promoting green energy solutions that empower people worldwide to use energy independently and sustainably. As a leading provider of battery storage systems for commercial and industrial applications, TESVOLT prioritizes quality and innovation. With tailored storage solutions, TESVOLT meets diverse needs—ranging from smaller applications to large-scale megawatt projects. Thanks to EPSA’s expertise, innovative projects have been efficiently promoted and implemented, making this partnership a strong example of success. www.epsa-deutschland.de

The Key KPIs Every Buyer Should Track In procurement, it is crucial not only to claim one’s performance but to substantiate it with concrete figures. This is also highlighted by the 2024 Buyer Salary Report based on 1,394 participants. When comprehensive procurement controlling is in place, buyers tend to earn higher salaries on average. A thorough controlling system enhances motivation, professionalism, and the visibility or position of procurement within the company. Key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with the company’s overarching goals are essential for performance measurement. Continuous monitoring of these KPIs enables procurement departments to increase efficiency, achieve cost…