Author: Kloepfel
Decrease in December 2023 by 1.6 percent compared to the previous month According to preliminary data from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), real production in the manufacturing sector decreased by 1.6 percent in December 2023 compared to the previous month. Compared to December 2022, production in the manufacturing sector is 3.0 percent lower. Destatis reports that production from October 2023 to December 2023 was 1.8 percent lower than in the previous three months. Overall, production in 2023 decreased by 1.5 percent compared to 2022. Energy-Intensive Industries and Energy Generation Significant declines were observed in energy-intensive industries and energy generation. In…
Fully Automated High-Bay Warehouse at the Production Site in Otrokovice Continental recently inaugurated a fully automated high-bay warehouse at its tire production site in Otrokovice, Czech Republic. With this facility, the tire manufacturer, according to its own statements, centralizes its local warehouses in the Otrokovice area, thereby improving Continental’s logistics processes. At the same time, the company also reduces its CO2 emissions. Sustainable Logistics, Environmentally Friendly Supply Chain During the grand opening of the building, Bernhard Trilken, Head of Production and Logistics for Continental’s tire division, stated: “Sustainable logistics is key to a resource-efficient and environmentally friendly supply chain.” Continental…
Marc Kloepfel and Duran Sarikaya “Every company needs its Minister of the Future” In this interview, Marc Kloepfel and Duran Sarikaya, Managing Directors of Kloepfel Consulting, take stock of the year 2023 and talk about stable supply chains, technology leadership and future ministers. What particularly characterized Kloepfel Consulting in 2023? Marc: In 2023, there were significant changes at Kloepfel Consulting Germany in order to respond to a changing world and prepare our customers for the future. To this end, we expanded our management team. Since last summer, our long-standing Senior Partners Alexander Hornikel and Thanh-Duy Tran have been Country Managers…
Expansion of the logistics sector to strengthen the economy Sebastian Krings has been responsible for all logistics topics within the Kloepfel Group since May 2017 and has now been appointed Senior Partner. In his new position, he is further expanding the logistics division of Kloepfel Consulting, having already achieved significant success within the consulting firm. By expanding its logistics services, the management consultancy aims to sustainably strengthen the economy in these challenging times. Krings, who holds degrees in both engineering and industrial engineering, began his career at the world’s third-largest printing ink manufacturer. In this role, he managed operational and…
Sustainability as a driver of innovation Authors: Benedikt Benz, Senior Consultant Kloepfel Consulting and Heiko Steinmetz, Sustainability Manager Kloepfel Consulting Purchasing decisions play a decisive role when it comes to selecting packaging materials. In this guide, we give you an overview of primary, secondary and tertiary packaging materials and concentrate on various focus product groups. The market for packaging materials is constantly evolving. Sustainability is increasingly becoming the driving force behind innovation. Companies that offer environmentally friendly packaging solutions are well positioned to meet the changing needs of consumers, but also to comply with legal requirements both nationally and within…
Strategies for a stable financial course Author: Ardi Shala, Partnership Manager Germany at iBanFirst Currency risk is an inevitable part of international business. Companies operating in different countries face the challenge of managing exchange rate fluctuations that can affect their profits. In this article, we take a look at the causes of currency risks before exploring effective strategies to hedge against them. Causes of currency risk Currency risks mainly arise from fluctuations in exchange rates between different currencies. Factors such as economic uncertainties, political events and interest rate differences influence the strength of a currency and can lead to considerable…
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Kiel Trade Indicator December 2023 The latest data from the Kiel Trade Indicator for the month of December 2023 suggests that the slightly negative trend in world trade could continue. The Institute for World Economics (IfW Kiel) cites attacks on container ships in the Red Sea in connection with the Middle East conflict as a possible cause. According to the recent report from IfW, global trade declined by 1.3 percent (price- and seasonally adjusted) from November to December 2023. The indicator values for the European Union show significant declines in both exports (-2.0 percent) and imports (-3.1 percent). Diversion of…
Trade Surplus of 20.4 Billion Euros in November 2023 According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), exports in November 2023 increased by 3.7 percent compared to the previous month. However, compared to the same month of the previous year, exports decreased by 5.0 percent. Imports increased by 1.9 percent compared to the previous month but decreased by 12.2 percent compared to the same month of the previous year. In November 2023, German exports amounted to a total of 131.2 billion euros, while imports reached a value of 110.8 billion euros. This resulted in a positive trade surplus of 20.4 billion…
Reduction of CO2 Emissions through Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) DHL Express has enlisted Mytheresa, one of the world’s leading luxury e-commerce platforms, for its GoGreen Plus service. According to the logistics provider’s press release, the two partners have entered into a five-year contract for this purpose. This aims to reduce CO2 emissions by using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) instead of conventional aircraft kerosene. According to the press release, Mytheresa will invest a multi-million Euro participation amount in GoGreen Plus over a five-year period. This marks the largest investment by a DHL Express customer in Europe in this service to date.…
December Edition of Kloepfel Magazine Dear readers, We are pleased to welcome you to the December issue of Kloepfel Magazine, which as usual is packed with current topics, tips and news for buyers and supply chain managers. A particular focus of this issue is on the successful conduct of annual meetings. These meetings are crucial for both reflecting on the past year and planning the year ahead. We offer you valuable insights and practical tips to make these meetings effective and achieve the best results for your company. In this context, we give you “11 expert tips for successful negotiations”.…
Author: Thomas Wandler, Managing Director at Kloepfel Consulting Austria Conducting annual meetings and price negotiations at the end of the year, but sometimes also at the beginning, allows companies to both reflect on the past year and plan for the coming year. We give you tips on how you can implement these discussions in the best possible way: The basis for negotiating new contracts or adjusting existing contracts is the performance of suppliers and market conditions in 2023. Analyses of market trends and price developments are particularly important in industries where commodity prices and market conditions are volatile. These findings…
From preparation to conclusion: a compact guide to well thought-out negotiation strategies Author: Thomas Wandler, Managing Director at Kloepfel Consulting Austria In the world of business and purchasing, the ability to negotiate is of great importance. In this article, we present eleven negotiating tips that will prepare you for the challenges of negotiations: 1st tip: Aim for win-win situations In negotiations, it is crucial not only to focus on the price, but also to strive for a win-win situation. This means that in addition to financial aspects, service quality and good cooperation with the supplier should also be considered, for…
Stabilizing the supply chain to cope with a special large order Andreas Kiel and Christian Fuchs Customer interview with Andreas Kiel, Director Supply Chain Management, Mehler Protection In this interview, Andreas Kiel, Director Supply Chain Management at Mehler Protection, reports on the challenges faced by purchasing and the supply chain due to a multiplication of the previous order volume. The supply chain had to be expanded and secured within a very short space of time. Read in this interview how the supplier of protective equipment is dealing with the enormous challenges and has successfully developed solutions together with Kloepfel Consulting.…
Picking, shipping, customs and returns – the entire supply chain from a single source In the industrial park of Düsseldorf-Lierenfeld, Kloepfel 4PL Solutions recently opened a new warehouse with comprehensive warehousing and logistics services especially for medium-sized companies and startups. For example, online stores can outsource all their logistics processes to the provider, starting with order picking, customs clearance and returns management. The secure storage and logistics of hazardous goods is also part of the value-added services. On an area of 2,000 m², equipped with 1,824 storage locations, modern floor conveyors and optimized racking systems, Kloepfel 4PL Solutions offers a…
In our interview with Ms. Manuela Hug, Senior Financial Consultant at EPSA Germany, we delve into the world of funding. An area that is of great importance to many entrepreneurs and managers. Grants are more than just financial aid; they are often a springboard for innovation and progress. They enable companies to realize visionary projects and drive sustainable developments. We talk to experienced experts about the different types of funding, the conditions for applying for them and special programs available to start-ups and small businesses. Our aim is to paint a clear picture of how companies can make the most…
What does the integration of maritime traffic into the EU Emissions Trading System mean? How can you address the additional burdens in sea freight? At the beginning of the new year, additional costs are expected for sea freight due to a significant change in the EU Emissions Trading System. Climate change and its environmental impacts are increasing pressure on all players in the global economy. Consequently, public awareness has grown. Shipping, as one of the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, is now increasingly in the spotlight of regulators. In an effort to address this issue, political negotiators reached a…
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