Our market analyses confirm that companies based in Eastern Europe have enormous potential for improving efficiency, particularly in the areas of production, logistics and management. On the basis of the results of these analyses and our experience, we have defined six service areas that play a particular role in increasing efficiency in companies based in Eastern Europe.

In cooperation with experts from METROPLAN, we offer the following services to help companies achieve their corporate objectives:

Internal analyses show that logistics processes have an optimisation potential ranging from 9% to 13%! The reasons for this relatively large potential are usually founded in inefficient warehouse and materials handling technology, flaws and gaps in the flow of information, lack of synchronisation and insufficient monitoring of planning and processes, and logistics processes which are frequently not aligned with quantitative targets. We have been successfully assisting Eastern European countries in this segment for several years, helping them reduce logistics costs, improve delivery performance, reduce stock levels and take a target-oriented approach to monitoring logistics processes.

Conception, planning, tendering and realisation support of suitable warehousing and materials handling systems
Introduction of planning and forecast systems
Ensuring consistent monitoring of the logistics chain
Introduction of complete logistics controlling and monitoring systems

Our analyses have identified optimisation reserves of up to 20% in production processes at companies in Eastern Europe! The reasons for these high optimisation potentials are usually rooted in ineffective production planning/control, interruptions in material flows due to outdated infrastructures, lack of synchronisation between information, material and production flows, and the frequently inadequate definition of production targets and strategies. The consequences are primarily manifested in the form of excessive inventory stock in production, long throughput times and product quality that is not up to standard.

We assist companies in shortening throughput times, improving production results, reducing production costs, improving quality and safeguarding the sustainability of the measures that have been implemented.

Maintenance and development of the location, combined with the use of existing investment subsidies, are key factors for securing the location. Unfortunately, success-oriented implementation is less characteristic, and locations rarely have long-term plant development plans, functioning facility management systems and sustainable supply chain structures. Moreover, there is often a lack of knowledge regarding existing national or EU funding or subsidy opportunities.

Securing production and logistics locations on a sustained basis
Development of master plans
Modification / optimisation of supply chain structures
Harmonisation of investment planning and applications for subsidies/funding
Development of sustainable energy concepts
Conception, design and implementation of facility management systems

Companies in Eastern Europe focus primarily on inhouse processes, and make little use of outsourcing potentials. The often lack of willingness to outsource production and logistics processes frequently leads to a complex production and service depth, and as a result, companies do not have the necessary adaptive flexibility

We advise companies with regard to improving the existing structures and processes, systematically identifying outsourcing potentials and defining, selecting and integrating outsourcing partners, with the aim of achieving the long-term company objectives.

In the area of procurement / distribution logistics, our inhouse analyses identify a savings potential of 12% to 16%! These potentials are not sufficiently leveraged. For many companies, this leads to longer delivery times and unnecessarily high stock levels. We support companies in the utilisation of network potentials, the reduction of distribution and procurement logistics costs, improvement of the delivery service and in the development of effective warehousing concepts, including cross-border, centralised distribution warehouses.

Over 70% of all crisis situations, such as major quality problems and the inability to deliver, can no longer be satisfactorily resolved in Eastern Europe by the companies themselves. The reasons for this include the often inadequate level of experience and qualification in production, logistics and IT. This is exacerbated by the lack of internal further management training and poor communication between management and operations. We support companies in establishing efficient organisational structures, personnel development, creating controlling systems with early warning functions, and in achieving maximum process reliability. We also assist in the resolution of complex crisis situations and the restoration of normal conditions by delegating a temporary project manager, and in recruiting suitable management personnel through our personnel consulting partners.
Though the use of a consultant system, the recruitment process for management personnel ensures that the international candidate pool is utilised to the best possible effect. Personnel consulting is also permanently supervised by specialists who have themselves worked for many years in Eastern Europe as plant managers, logistics managers or company directors. The interim management of our specialists and onsite supervision of the location development ideally complement the personnel consulting used in the Eastern European countries.