Private Equity Carve-out: Success Factors in Procurement
First things first: the success of a private equity (PE) carve-out is largely determined by procurement. As this function often accounts for 50–60% of total costs, it offers the quickest way to boost EBITDA. A successful transformation requires the rapid phasing out of Transition Service Agreements (TSAs), the establishment of absolute data transparency (Spend Cube) and a consistent reorientation of […]
Value Management in Procurement: Reducing Costs, Increasing Value
The most important thing upfront: Value Management (VM) in procurement is the strategic key to increasing profitability without sacrificing product quality. Unlike traditional cost-cutting, which often only aims for price reductions, VM optimises the relationship between function and cost. Through the early involvement of procurement in development and close collaboration with […]
EU AI Act: Requirements, Implementation, and Compliance for Businesses
The most important thing first: The EU AI Act has been the binding legal basis for Artificial Intelligence in Europe since 2026. It categorises AI applications by risk and sets strict rules for transparency, safety, and human oversight. Companies must act now: Since April 2026, the governance obligations for high-risk systems have been fully effective. Those with compliance gaps in procurement or operation [...]
Demand Management: Definition, Strategies and Optimisation
The most important thing first: Demand Management is far more than a mere sales forecast; it is the strategic nerve centre of a resilient company. Through the precise synchronisation of market signals with the operational capacities of the supply chain, warehouse costs are reduced, delivery reliability is maximised and capital commitment is minimised. In an era of global volatility, the quality of demand management determines the ability […]
Single vs. Multiple Sourcing in Procurement: Strategies Compared
First and foremost: by 2026, the choice between single and multiple sourcing has evolved from a purely operational pricing issue into an existential decision about corporate resilience. While single sourcing offers convincing advantages with maximum economies of scale and deep innovation partnerships for complex A-parts, multiple sourcing serves as indispensable insurance against geopolitical and logistical shocks. The strategic „gold standard“ [...]
EU-Mercosur Agreement: Definition and Impact
The most important thing first: The EU-Mercosur Agreement is the largest planned free trade agreement in the world. It aims to reduce trade barriers between the European Union and the Mercosur states (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay). While European industry hopes for massive tariff savings, ecological risks for the Amazon and existential pressure on domestic agriculture are at the centre […]
Domino effect in business: Purchasing decides the margin
The most important thing upfront: Purchasing is far more than a mere procurement department; it functions as the strategic nerve centre of profitability. A targeted domino effect within the company often begins precisely here: whereas revenue increases must be expensively acquired through marketing and sales, every cost saving in purchasing flows 100 % directly into the net profit (EBIT). Those who understand the leverage of [...]
AI in Purchasing: 10 Tips for Measurable Savings
The most important point first: companies will achieve measurable savings of 5 % to 15 % on their total purchasing volume through the strategic use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in procurement in 2026. This will be achieved through the radical automation of routine processes, the identification of price anomalies in real-time, and predictive risk management. Those who use AI as a strategic lever will transform […]
Optimise product groups in purchasing with AI✅
First things first: AI-supported optimisation of product groups will mark the turning point in 2026 from purely administrative management to proactive value creation. By using machine learning and automated classification, companies will achieve spend transparency of over 95 %, identify potential savings in real time and almost completely eliminate maverick buying. Strategic purchasing is changing [...]
Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR): New EU Rules for Packaging 2026
The most important thing first: The new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) harmonises waste law across Europe and replaces national standalone solutions. From 2026, the first major restrictions will come into force: these include the ban on certain single-use packaging, strict empty space targets of a maximum of 40 % for mail-order and the obligation for EU-wide standardised disposal instructions. Companies must adapt their packaging design […]