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.
Excellent as BEST ADVISORS – 11th 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
World Gloves
World Gloves offers high-quality protective gloves for medical, industrial, and everyday use. Quality, comfort, and safety are at the heart of the company.
Neutrik
Neutrik connects the world – literally. As a leading supplier of connectors, the company stands for precision, reliability, and Swiss engineering.
Helbako
Helbako develops intelligent electronics solutions for the automotive industry. The family-owned company from Heiligenhaus stands for innovation, quality, and collaborative partnership.
Alete GmbH
Alete GmbH was founded in 1934 and developed the first ready-to-use infant formula. The company now offers a wide range of baby food in the form of infant formula, baby food jars, drinks for toddlers, as well as juices and teas for pregnant and breastfeeding women. In 2012, Alete held a market share of 17.8%, placing it third behind Hipp and Danone. In Germany, the company has two production sites, one in Polling-Weiding, Upper Bavaria, and another in Biessenhofen in the Allgäu region.
Mulag
„Not only the total sum of directly implemented savings, but also the further potentials that we can implement through our purchasing in the near future, are remarkable.“ – P. Esser (Management). MULAG is one of the leading German manufacturers of vehicles for the airport apron with an extensive product range of airport tractors, conveyor belt vehicles, container transporters and special vehicles. Furthermore, MULAG sees itself as a leading manufacturer of mowers with the most extensive product range for DaimlerChrysler Unimog and other system carriers.
WAS
„The result achieved of over €1 million after just eleven months surprised us positively and convinced us of your performance.“ – Daniel Gotthardt (Management). Wietmarscher Ambulanz und Sonderfahrzeug GmbH (WAS), with around 600 employees, is Europe's leading provider of ambulance and special-purpose vehicles. Since its founding in 1987, the company has consistently expanded its market position. WAS now has international subsidiaries. As a certified conversion partner for Europe's leading car manufacturers, WAS possesses extensive brand expertise and can therefore provide a wide range of base vehicles and conversion options.
Zollern
Zollern stands for over 300 years of industrial history. With innovative strength and precision, the company manufactures high-quality components for the most demanding applications worldwide.
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.