Project interview New Ben GmbH
Industry: Trade
Products: Clothing, accessories
Turnover: EUR 62 million (2014)
Employees: 450 (2015)
Interview with Martin Beucker CEO and Leonardo Virzi CFO of New Ben GmbH. New Ben GmbH sells Benetton and Sisley brand textiles through its own Benetton stores.
Were you skeptical or rather open-minded at the start of the project?
Leonardo Virzi: Right from the start, I saw the effort behind the project. Particularly in view of the fact that we had already turned over every euro ten times over, I was rather skeptical about the benefits.
Martin Beucker: I was open-minded about the project. Due to the fact that Kloepfel Consulting would be paid by success (profit-sharing principle), we were not taking any risks. If the Kloepfel team didn't save anything, we wouldn't have to pay anything either. And I saw that we would definitely learn from Kloepfel Consulting.
What were the biggest challenges at the start of the project?Leonardo Virzi: I saw the biggest challenge for me and my team as recording data from the accounting and contracts, for example. However, we also realized that data recording and ultimately data transparency were necessary to make the optimization project a success.
To what extent will the optimization have a lasting effect on your day-to-day business?
Martin Beucker: At this point in time after the project, it is still quite early to say anything about this. Sustainable success has certainly been achieved in the areas of recruiting and HR. There has also been a rethink in the organization in terms of new approaches, which has made us more efficient.
How would you describe the way the Kloepfel project team works in three words?
Martin Beucker: Professional and emphatic.
Joint project successes are also always dependent on people. We talk about the fact that we are colleagues in the projects
are temporary colleagues. How did you feel?
Martin Beucker: The direct contact with the Kloepfel Consulting team was positive.
Leonardo Virzi: However, there was sometimes a lot of pressure from the management at Kloepfel Consulting, as they wanted to complete the project successfully, efficiently and quickly.
Martin Beucker: That was sometimes unpleasant, but tactically positive. Ultimately, Kloepfel Consulting was quick and clear at all levels and they knew what they wanted.
Some suppliers first had to get used to seeing new Kloepfel faces at the negotiating table alongside the familiar contacts from your company. How did you experience these situations and what were the reactions of the suppliers?
Martin Beucker: I was skeptical about the reaction of the suppliers.
And although the purchasing optimizers were announced, there were a few question marks on the part of the suppliers.
Leonardo Virzi: In the end, the reactions remained within the normal range. I had expected more.
What is your conclusion after the end of the project?
Martin Beucker: For contractual reasons, some of the results on the supplier side will only become apparent in 2015. Regardless of this, our conclusion after the end of the project is positive. We are even in the process of recommending Kloepfel Consulting to others.
Thank you very much for the interview!
