Author: Kloepfel
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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Production of stoves and ovens from the end of 2024 Miele is building its first American plant in Opelika in the US state of Alabama. According to the family-owned company’s press release, production is scheduled to start there at the end of 2024. In the first phase, 150 employees will work at the site. Production close to the market The provider of domestic appliances writes that there are several good reasons for the decision to also produce in the USA in the future. For example, the United States of America is Miele’s largest market outside Germany. At the same time,…
German foreign trade stagnates The Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel) published the values of the “Kiel Trade Indicator” on December 6. This analyzes the trade of 75 countries worldwide and predicts increases or decreases in trade with the help of real-time ship movement data. A special algorithm uses artificial intelligence to convert this data into values. According to the Kiel Institute, global trade fell by 0.9% in December 2023 compared to October 2023. German foreign trade in particular contributed to this development. Vincent Stamer, head of the Kiel Trade Indicator, states: “German foreign trade has basically only…
Investment in precious metal processing and environmental protection Aurubis AG, a leading global supplier of non-ferrous metals and one of the largest copper recyclers, recently announced investment decisions, particularly for the Hamburg site. At the most recent meeting of the Supervisory Board, two new projects were approved for the northern German site, totaling 330 million euros. Of this amount, around EUR 300 million is earmarked for the construction of a new precious metals processing plant, known as the Precious Metals Refinery (PMR). In conjunction with the existing facilities, this will create a new, highly secure area for processing precious metals…
November Edition: Kloepfel Magazine Dear Readers, In our article “Hidden Savings Potentials in Indirect Procurement,” we highlight why many companies often overlook their direct and indirect costs and present measures to achieve significant savings. Another focus is on the “Great Purchaser Salary Report 2023.” Like last year, over 1,500 employees and executives in procurement have provided information about their salaries. The results provide valuable insights into salary differences and the factors influencing them. Additionally, we take a look at the “Lorry Toll Changes from December 1, 2023.” The changes decided by the federal government will have significant implications for companies,…
Exploit savings opportunities – do not underestimate material and overhead costs Our experience shows that indirect purchasing costs – also known as material and overhead costs – are often not at the center of companies’ purchasing activities. We believe that one reason for the low relevance of these topics is their secondary importance compared to activities relating to the core product or core business. Companies often focus on the efficient procurement of the core components required for the production and sale of the core portfolio and neglect the seemingly secondary cost components. Indirect product groups are all goods and services…
Examples: Potential savings in IT and telecommunications, marketing and packaging materials What are the challenges and potential savings in the area of IT and telecommunications costs? Companies are faced with the challenge of having to efficiently manage different IT licenses, software solutions and mobile and hardware contracts and cover requirements. This means that the range of topics and the scope of activities are diverse and at the same time highly relevant for the smooth running of the company. In addition, the challenges in the IT and telecommunications product groups often lie in the fact that there is no close cooperation…
Companies should prepare for negotiations with logistics providers The changes to truck toll charges in Germany decided by the German government already made companies sit up and take notice a few weeks ago. While the government wants to raise additional funds for transport infrastructure, many are expressing concerns about the threat of competitive disadvantages. It is important that companies prepare for the upcoming changes in order to minimize the impact on their business. On October 20, the Bundestag passed the federal government’s bill to change tolls. Here are some important information and steps you should consider: Planned changes The first…
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Investment of 100 million euros for energy storage solutions Global technology and construction group Strabag is investing in the development and production of safe, sustainable and cost-effective energy storage solutions. In cooperation with the battery storage manufacturer CMBlu Energy, Strabag intends to accelerate and simplify the realization of specific large-scale storage projects through construction projects and infrastructure support. Both companies aim to give the energy transition a significant boost by combining their respective expertise. This decision is based on the strategy of combining leading storage technology with expertise in construction and infrastructure. According to the company, this will enable industrial…
New AI-supported assistant to increase productivity Microsoft and Siemens are deepening their existing partnership. Microsoft reported on this last Thursday. The two companies are now presenting a jointly developed, AI-supported assistant. This assistant is called Siemens Industrial Copilot. It is designed to improve collaboration between man and machine in production. The integration between the Siemens Teamcenter software for Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) and Microsoft Teams will also further pave the way to the industrial metaverse, Microsoft promises in its press release. This will also simplify cross-functional, virtual collaboration between development engineers, customer service staff and other teams. Man and machine…
Increased EU trade contributes significantly to the increase The Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW Kiel) published the values of the “Kiel Trade Indicator” on November 7. This analyzes the trade of 75 countries worldwide and forecasts increases or decreases in trade with the help of real-time ship movement data. According to the Kiel Institute, global trade increased by 2% in October 2023 compared to September 2023, with EU trade in particular contributing to this increase. Vincent Stamer, Head of the Kiel Trade Indicator, states: “The figures for global trade are stronger than they have been for a long…
October Edition: Kloepfel Magazine Dear Readers, We are heading purposefully towards the end of the year and in many companies planning for the coming year has already begun. This October issue of our newsletter provides you with a wealth of information to support and inspire you as you optimize in the areas of purchasing, logistics and human resources. While in the first article we look at the challenges and opportunities of cost planning for 2024, in the second article we take you to Düsseldorf-Lierenfeld, where the new logistics hub of Kloepfel 4PL Solutions is waiting for medium-sized companies and startups.…