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
Karstadt
„Your consulting team has impressively presented initial, very good results within just a few days.“ - Harald Fraszczak. With 86 department stores, 28 sports stores, 3 premium stores and its own online shop, Karstadt is one of Germany's leading retail companies and, at the same time, Europe's second-largest department store chain. The company, which has been in existence for over 130 years, focuses particularly on the areas of Fashion (women's, men's, and children's wear), Sports, Home, and Personality (watches, jewellery, and beauty). According to a 2012 study, Karstadt is among the top brands in German retail (8th place) and, with its approximately 25,000 employees, recorded an annual turnover of approx. €3.228 billion.
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.
Grimme
„Throughout the entire project duration, they achieved a minimisation of procurement costs of approximately €2.5 million.“ – Klemens Kalverkamp (Management). Founded in 1861, Grimme Landmaschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG is a world-leading manufacturer of potato technology based in Damme (Lower Saxony). Since 2003, the company has also produced machinery for sugar beet harvesting and vegetable cultivation and employs over 1,450 people worldwide.
Stadler
Stadler builds rail vehicles that are cost-effective and tailored to customer needs. The company's trains are reliable and safe to operate – with maximum travel comfort for passengers. The performance and economy of the products are continuously improved with state-of-the-art technologies.
Toys R Us
Toys R Us is a retail chain of toy stores from the United States. In 1986, Toys R Us was also founded in Germany and has since become one of the largest toy retailers in the country. There are now more than 60 branches in Germany.
LEONI
LEONI is a global provider of cables and energy systems. With innovative solutions, the company connects the world of tomorrow – safely, efficiently and sustainably.
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.
Hiestand Schweiz
Hiestand Switzerland is renowned for its freshly baked artistry. With passion and Swiss quality, the company brings moments of delight to bakeries and gastronomy 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.