Cost optimization at banks: Sparkasse Duisburg
Balance sheet total: approx. 5.4 billion euros
Employees: 1,251 (including 77 trainees)
With its numerous branches, Sparkasse Duisburg maintains direct contact with its customers throughout the region. In a region characterized by structural change, an efficient credit institution is of particular importance. Aware of its responsibility towards the region, Sparkasse Duisburg is a reliable employer and trainer. It is also a frequent promoter and/or sponsor, supports the local economy with its commitment and makes a significant contribution to cultural, sporting and social activities in Duisburg and Kamp-Lintfort. Sparkasse Duisburg is a special-purpose savings bank and emerged from the former municipal savings banks of Duisburg and Kamp-Lintfort.
Sparkasse Duisburg about the project:
- "The project result far exceeded the original savings targets. An additional added value was the detailed data preparation, which offers us comprehensive transparency in our purchasing requirements beyond the project," says Dr. Joachim K. Bonn, CEO of Sparkasse Duisburg.
- Damir Michael Lukacevic, Quality and Process Manager at Sparkasse Duisburg and project manager, explains, "The open and transparent communication between the Kloepfel team and the project management and all relevant departments is also worth mentioning."
Starting point:
The aim of the procurement cost optimization project was to review the existing processes and structures of the savings bank and identify potential savings. Overall, all topics in the area of material and overhead costs were addressed, with a particular focus on the topics of building cleaning, office supplies and the canteen, among others.
Challenges in the project:
The biggest challenge in the course of the project was to overcome existing reservations in the respective specialist departments regarding changes to purchasing-related processes and to implement sustainable process improvements. The consideration of the savings bank's local ties and the fact that service providers and suppliers are often long-standing business customers also had a decisive influence on the project. Last but not least, the available data in the company made the initial analyses more difficult and required increased efforts to create the necessary transparency.
Target achievement:
Significant savings potential was achieved, particularly in the area of building cleaning, by bundling with an existing service provider. Overall, a change of supplier was only made in the area of office supplies and printed materials. As there was no possibility of switching to alternative service providers in the other areas, the focus was not only on personal negotiations but also on analyzing processes and structures. As a result, the specialist departments were sensitized to a more detailed examination and evaluation of the processes and supplier relationships and further savings were achieved.
Conclusion:
Although there was general skepticism at the Sparkasse at the start of the project about the achievability of the potential identified, the intensive involvement of individuals from the individual departments very quickly led to very constructive cooperation. This ultimately led to all expectations being exceeded by far.
Project result
Processed subject areas:
Building cleaning, office supplies, canteen, maintenance, marketing, etc.
Project scorecard
Project volume: 11 million euros
Volume processed: 4 million euros
Project team: 2 consultants
Project duration: 6 months
Project result: 875,000 euros
