Author: Kloepfel
Courier service solutions for small and valuable shipments DB Schenker has developed a new air freight product. According to the logistics service provider’s press release, customers can now book an onboard courier service (OBC). The service is designed to offer fast and reliable express air transportation to and from anywhere in the world. According to DB Schenker, this is a customized express service for spare parts, medical products and other time-critical shipments. With this service, DB Schenker is expanding its growing portfolio of exclusive on-demand offers, according to the press release. With the new product, the international logistics service provider…
New program for decarbonization along the value chain Henkel intends to record CO2 emissions in its supply chain even better. To this end, the Düsseldorf-based company recently developed a new program for its global suppliers. The program, called “Climate Connect”, will make it possible to collect emissions data, jointly define measures to reduce emissions and offer training opportunities. The aim is to further promote decarbonization along the value chain. Cooperation with “Manufacture 2030” For the new program, Henkel is working together with the British company Manufacture 2030. This is a partner in the field of decarbonization, according to Henkel. According…
How long does order processing take in our company – not really, or does it? In our consulting practice, we repeatedly find that companies lack transparency regarding how the ordering process is conducted and which departments are involved. Often, there is only a feeling that it takes too long. Especially in today’s times, it is urgently necessary to engage with employees and processes to be able to successfully compete. Here are some thoughts. In current surveys among entrepreneurs, two main challenges are usually mentioned – cost pressure due to market competition and a shortage of labor. Against this backdrop, it…
Competition in the supply chain: Solution-oriented purchasing Author: Thomas Wandler, Managing Director of Kloepfel Consulting Austria Today, it is no longer individual companies that are competing with each other, but rather their supply chains. Those with the most innovative and agile supply chains will be better able to manage their supply bottlenecks and stay ahead in their markets. However, to achieve this, companies must trust their key suppliers much more and no longer view them merely as obedient procurement sources. A rethink is required. Despite supply bottlenecks and price explosions, the German economy is still doing well. The IHS Markit/BME…
AI will fundamentally revolutionize procurement and supply chain management worldwide. With this international survey, award-winning procurement and supply chain expert Marc Kloepfel wants to gather your opinion and experience on the topic to get a clear picture of how AI will shape the future of procurement and supply chain management. As a participant in this 100% anonymous survey, you will receive the groundbreaking results free of charge prior to publication. By participating, you will help shape the future of procurement and supply chain management. Click on the link to start the 10-minute survey and make your opinion heard! Start the…
Embark on a journey to revolutionize your procurement processes with Marc Kloepfel’s latest FREE eBook, ‘Artificial Intelligence in Procurement’. This comprehensive guide dives deep into how AI is reshaping the landscape of procurement, offering insights to increase efficiency, improve data analytics, optimize supplier management and reduce costs. Why is this eBook a must-read? – It’s your gateway for understanding the critical role of AI in procurement. – Marc shares his expert knowledge in 10 insightful chapters. – Includes 6 exclusive ChatGPT prompts tailored to different procurement functions, equipping you with actionable AI tools. Download it here for FREE: Free eBook…
Response rates of 50 percent Author: Andreas Miltzner, Manager Executive Search at Kloepfel Consulting. It is becoming increasingly difficult for companies to fill specialized specialist and management positions in the areas of purchasing, supply chain management and logistics. Read how you can overcome the lack of qualified candidates willing to change jobs with the Kloepfel recruitment service and what makes us special. Challenges in recruitment Many companies on the job market are confronted with the fact that their salary structures do not meet candidates’ expectations. Added to this is, for example, the desire of many candidates for flexible working models,…
A breath of fresh air is blowing in the world of automotive manufacturing, driven by a zeal for innovation and an increased focus on sustainability. The industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation, characterized by the development of new, environmentally friendly drive types and the pursuit of increased driving comfort. The German government is playing a supporting role in this transformation by providing a range of support programs aimed at assisting the automotive industry on its journey towards future-oriented mobility. A key component of the government’s support measures is the research allowance, which offers companies the opportunity to receive financial assistance…
New HWWI economic forecast Hamburg, – March 5, 2024 – Following a 0.3% decline in real gross domestic product in 2023, the Hamburg Institute of International Economics (HWWI) expects only limited recovery potential for the German economy in 2024 and 2025. In view of the difficult start to the year and the resulting depressed starting level, economic growth is only expected to average ¼% in 2024, even with a moderate economic upturn over the remainder of the year. However, even this assumes that the geopolitical conflicts do not escalate further. And even then, given the structural problems in Germany, real…
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Increase in liquefied natural gas (LNG) production by almost 85 percent by 2030 Qatar plans to significantly expand its LNG production. As announced by the state-owned Qatari oil and gas company QatarEnergy on Sunday, the state of Qatar’s LNG production capacity is set to increase to 142 million tons per year by 2030. This represents an increase of almost 85 percent compared to the current production level, according to the press release from QatarEnergy. QatarEnergy CEO and Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, held a press conference at QatarEnergy’s headquarters in Doha on Sunday. North Field West…
Framework agreement for the delivery of up to 250 locomotives Rail vehicle lessor Railpool and Siemens Mobility have concluded a framework agreement for the delivery of up to 250 locomotives. Siemens recently announced this. The Munich-based industrial conglomerate reported that with the signing of the contract, 70 locomotives of the Vectron series were immediately called off. With this order, Railpool’s Vectron fleet will grow to a total of 228 locomotives. Cross-border traffic According to Siemens, the framework agreement includes Vectron variants that enable cross-border traffic without changing locomotives. According to the press release, the locomotives can be used in up…
Report of the International Federation of Robotics The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) has released a report on the most important trends shaping robotics and automation in 2024 from their perspective. The IFR mentions that the global stock of industrial robots has reached a new record of around 3.9 million units. In their report, the IFR identifies five trends: – Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning – Cobots for new applications – Mobile Manipulators – Digital Twins – Humanoid Robots “The top 5 robotics and automation trends for 2024 show that robotics is a multidisciplinary field where technologies support each…
February Edition of Kloepfel Magazine Dear Readers, February’s issue of Kloepfel Magazine is dedicated to the success triangle of technical sourcing. This triangle of price improvements, cost engineering and technical matchmaking brings moon prices back down to earth, uncovers hidden cost eaters in products and protects you from supply bottlenecks. Read why these three levers are a win-win for you and your suppliers. In a case study, we look at the freight cost optimization of an internationally active mechanical engineering company. The project optimized logistics processes in the areas of air freight, sea freight and courier express parcel services (CEP)…
Win-win for you and your suppliers Price improvements, cost engineering and technical matchmaking are the big levers for bringing moon prices back down to earth, uncovering hidden cost eaters and protecting yourself from supply bottlenecks. As a rule, Kloepfel Consulting’s triangle of success results in savings of between 12 and 50 percent. Not only you do win, but your suppliers do too. Price improvements: Savings of between 3 and 9 percent The first lever is price improvements in strategic purchasing. The Kloepfel team compares and negotiates prices to identify savings. For direct costs, this amounts to 3 to 6 percent.…
Cost savings above expectations As part of a project to optimize freight costs together with Kloepfel Consulting, an internationally active mechanical engineering company was able to achieve high savings. The project covered air freight, sea freight and courier express parcel services (CEP). This case study clearly shows that there is considerable potential for savings in logistics. Initial situation As is very often the case with companies, the mechanical engineering company had established business relationships in the area of logistics. Despite all the advantages, this had the disadvantage that in some cases no structural and regular price negotiations were carried out.…
Transitioning Procurement and Supply Chain Management into the Digital Era In today’s business world, digital technologies are indispensable in procurement and supply chain management. However, it’s not enough to introduce new tools here and there. Digitizing procurement requires a holistic transformation that engages people. Digital technologies like AI, machine learning, and Big Data significantly enhance process efficiency and effectiveness. They enable transparency through precise real-time data analysis and improve supplier and risk management. The challenge in implementing these novel key technologies lies in integrating them into existing processes and structures of a company. A successful digital transformation requires not only…
HWWI-Commodity Price Index continues to decrease Commodity prices have fallen sharply since their peak in summer 2022 (see figure). From its peak in August 2022, when the index stood at almost 400, the HWWI-Commodity Price Index halved by the beginning of 2023. Since then, it has fluctuated around a value of 175. After commodity prices rose again in autumn last year, they have fallen noticeably in the last three months. A particularly sharp decline was observed in December 2023, when the index fell by as much as 6.5 % compared to the previous month. In January 2024, the HWWI-Commodity Price…