Procurement optimisation for private equity
Maximising EBITDA growth and exit value through professional procurement: Procurement optimisation is the quickest and most effective lever for immediately increasing the profitability of portfolio companies. We identify untapped return potential, professionalise the procurement organisation, and achieve measurable cost reductions – for significant value enhancement in the shortest possible time.
Portfolio Value Enhancement: Strategic Procurement Optimisation for Private Equity
In the holding phase, every percentage point of margin counts. While revenue increases are often time-consuming and fraught with risks, optimising direct and indirect costs has an immediate impact on results. We support PE firms and management teams in developing procurement from an administrative function into a strategic value driver. We focus on a pragmatic „hands-on“ approach that not only delivers concepts but also guarantees implementation right down to the P&L.
Key Facts about our Expertise:
- Quick EBITDA effects: Realising quick wins within the first 3 to 6 months.
- Transparency & Reporting: Building valid spend analyses as a basis for management decisions.
- Professionalisation: Transformation of purchasing through the implementation of modern processes and digital tools.
- Portfolio Synergies: Bundling requirements across different portfolio companies to achieve economies of scale.
- Enhancing exit readiness: Creating a scalable and transparent cost structure that maximises enterprise value upon divestment.
Private Equity Value Appreciation
Private Equity: Doubling the Enterprise Value of Your Portfolio Companies
With approximately 50% of revenue share, purchasing represents the most significant earnings factor in companies. If it is possible to Purchasing costs om 8% to reduce, the company result can be increased by up to 50% in a short time. With an average leverage share of approx. 50%, the company value can thus be doubled within 12 months through purchasing optimisation measures.
Investment companies are keen to use Kloepfel Consulting's services because these value-creation effects for the portfolio are important to them. Furthermore, private equity firms appreciate Kloepfel Consulting's 100% success-based fee model. If we don't save money, we don't earn a fee. We regularly provide support during due diligence with analyses on the evaluation of savings potential in procurement and supply chain. If the company is acquired, we guarantee the realisation of the analysed potential in the form of a joint project. In this way, our industry teams quickly recover large parts of the purchase price in the form of increased earnings.
Awarded BEST CONSULTANTS – 10th time in a row
Example Project Outcome (anonymised)
Processed material groups, among others.
Logistics, including courier services, IT, telecommunications, printer management, energy (electricity, gas), auditing, tax consulting, insurance, office supplies, personnel services, printed materials
Example Project Scorecard
Project volume: 80 million Euros
Managed volume: €40 million
Project Team: 2 Consultants
Project duration: 8 months
Satisfied customers
„We enjoy working with Kloepfel Consulting. Sustainable and comprehensive optimisations in the material share increase the value of our holdings.“
„Kloepfel Consulting impresses with fast and sustainably effective measures to increase company value.“
„The project result achieved together of over €800,000 within the first 7 months has far exceeded our expectations and confirmed that we have found the absolute right partner in Kloepfel Consulting.“
„The result achieved of over €1 million after just eleven months pleasantly surprised us and convinced us of your performance.“
Would you like to learn more about the private equity sector, or do you have other questions about KLOEPFEL Consulting?
Convincing
References
Semikron Danfoss
Semikron Danfoss is driving the power electronics of the future. The company stands for energy efficiency, sustainability, and technological excellence.
Grammer
“At the beginning of the project, I was very doubtful about its purpose. However, the way you involved our internal departments in the project led to wide acceptance of your work.” – Tuna Arinci. The company develops and produces innovative driver and passenger seats, as well as components and systems for car interiors. The Seating Systems segment encompasses the business areas of truck and offroad seats, as well as rail and bus seats. With over 9,000 employees in 21 consolidated companies, Grammer is represented in 17 countries worldwide.
Maxim
The Maxim Group is an international manufacturer of cosmetics. The company has been producing and selling various cosmetic products under its own and private labels since 1979. The company's product portfolio also includes over-the-counter medicines and food supplements.
Nomos
Nomos Glashütte combines German watchmaking expertise with timeless design. Each watch is a piece of craftsmanship – precise, purist, and full of character.
Borbet
BORBET is among the world's leading manufacturers of alloy wheels and has been a reliable partner to the automotive industry for decades. With state-of-the-art manufacturing technology, utmost precision, and a clear focus on design and quality, wheels are produced that set standards – from premium vehicles to production models. Sustainability, innovation, and a passion for mobility characterise every product that is „Made in Germany“.
TonerPartner
TonerPartner delivers toner and printer supplies quickly, reliably, and with environmental consciousness. As an online pioneer, the company stands for quality and customer proximity.
Wafios
„We particularly appreciated the pleasant and good cooperation, your professional approach, and the seamless collaboration between strategic procurement and consultants, who complemented each other ideally, especially during negotiation meetings.“ – Thomas Hösle (Board of Directors). Wafios AG is a German high-tech machine manufacturer with approximately 760 employees. The company is the undisputed world market leader in the field of wire and tube bending machines. Further significant business areas include machines for the production of shaped parts and for the automatic bending and welding of chains. As a producer of high-performance precision machines, Wafios is clearly committed to Germany as a production site; quality „made in Germany“ is produced in three domestic plants. Nevertheless, Wafios AG has a global presence with over 70 trading agencies. This is also evidenced by an export share of 65%.
Mosca
Mosca is a leader in strapping technology. With innovative strength and quality, the family-owned company from Germany secures global transports.
Doc Morris
As an „online pharmacy,“ DocMorris supplies its customers with medicines and accessories. An extensive drug catalogue contains all the necessary medications and allows customers a convenient ordering process via the internet. Furthermore, DocMorris offers services in the form of online pharmaceutical advice. The company was founded in 2000 by Jacques Waterval and Ralf Däinghaus and is now one of the leading mail-order companies in the pharmaceutical industry. There are several sites in Germany and also in the Netherlands. For several years, DocMorris has been transitioning from a prosperous drug dealer to a digital health advisor.
e.GO
On the RWTH Aachen Campus, e.GO Mobile AG is developing electric mobility that is particularly practical and affordable. Prof. Günther Schuh, CEO of e.GO Mobile AG, and his production researchers are demonstrating in this way that Industry 4.0 entails highly iterative development processes, which make particularly cost-saving prototype and small-series production possible.
Our industry expertise
Automotive
Handel
Mechanical and Plant Engineering
FAQ: Key Questions for Procurement Optimisation for Private Equity
Why is procurement the most important lever for PE investors?
As material and service costs often make up the largest part of total expenditure, every euro saved in procurement flows directly into EBITDA. With an assumed exit multiple of 10x, a saving of €100,000 immediately leads to an increase in enterprise value of €1 million.
How quickly can initial savings be realised?
Initial results (quick wins) are usually visible within the first 12 to 16 weeks. Our focus is on swift implementation that does not burden day-to-day operations.
Will the achieved effects be sustainable?
Yes. Our aim is not just one-off cost reduction, but to empower the organisation. We are implementing sustainable structures, optimising supplier contracts, and training local staff.
How do you handle portfolio companies in different industries?
Through our broad industry expertise, we can leverage specific benchmarks. We know what „best-in-class“ is in the respective industry and tailor our strategies individually to the market situation of the portfolio company.
Do you also support bundling across the entire portfolio?
Absolutely. We identify product groups that can be consolidated across various holdings (e.g., logistics, energy, IT) to achieve significant volume advantages through cross-portfolio sourcing.