Author: Kloepfel
The most important questions about short-term support for medium-sized companies The need for competent and effective purchasing management is essential for companies. In many cases, however, there is a temporary need for experienced managers, whether due to staff shortages or special projects. This is where interim purchasing managers come into play. As interim managers, they offer short-term support and assume responsibility for the purchasing department. In this interview, Sven Schützek, Head of Interim Recruiting at Kloepfel Consulting, answers the most important questions posed by these specialized managers. What are the most important challenges for an interim manager? The typical challenges…
Kloepfel Consulting connects companies with top talent The key figures in the following infographics illustrate the high impact of Kloepfel Consulting’s recruiting services as a specialist in the areas of purchasing, supply chain management and logistics. In the following example, a Category Manager Welding Assemblies was placed for a supplier of commercial vehicle manufacturers in the Westphalia region of North Rhine-Westphalia. Case study 1: Placement of a Commodity Manager in the automotive industry A total of 133 potential candidates were identified and 108 of these were approached, resulting in 58 responses. The response rate was 53%. After 20 interviews, 5…
Achieve potential savings of up to 15% or more with a professional tender! Author: Heiko Steinmetz, Manager Kloepfel Consulting Exhibition stand construction and the associated services are diverse, complex and usually associated with high costs. Especially if you rely on a customized solution with few to hardly any standard/system elements when implementing your concept. The decision on implementation usually depends on the budget and the environment in which you present yourself as an exhibiting company. The size and importance of the trade fair (e.g. a leading international trade fair), your own market position and the appearance of your competitors are…
Steep learning curve and diverse insights Interview with Konstantin Rudel, trainee at Kloepfel Consulting. What made you decide to apply for the trainee position at the Kloepfel Group? After I graduated in business psychology in 2022, I traveled through Thailand and Vietnam and did a work and travel program in Australia. When I came back, I wanted to decide on a professional direction. Since the consulting industry is considered high-level, I chose this field and started my trainee program at Kloepfel in July 2023. I chose the trainee program because it gives me a higher learning curve through training in…
In a world that is constantly changing and where innovation is the key to success, the German Federal Council took a decisive step at its meeting on March 22, 2024. As part of the Growth Opportunities Act, innovations were adopted for the research allowance that could not only revolutionize the research and development (R&D) landscape in Germany, but also send a shining signal to companies: The future belongs to the brave, the inventors, the pioneers. Are you ready to be a pioneer? Discover your opportunities now. An age of innovation: The growth opportunity law Imagine standing on the threshold of…
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Intermediate goods become more expensive, capital and consumer goods more expensive According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), import prices fell by 4.9% in February 2024 compared to February 2023. Compared to the previous month of January 2024, import prices fell by 0.2%. Decline due to lower energy prices Energy import prices fell by 20.7% in February 2024 compared to February 2023. Compared to January 2024, prices fell by 2.6%. Natural gas had the greatest impact on this development, with prices reportedly falling by 40.4% compared to the same month last year. Compared to January 2024, natural gas was 12.2%…
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…