Archive
2009
Marketing: Savings Potentials in Purchasing
Cost killers go through the enterprises in the economic crisis. Especially hard hit are marketing departments because, in a liquidity crisis, advertising cannot be expected to provide short-term sales increases. To be able to...
Where are they going to?
When customary markets are changing in such a way that sales are stagnant, enterprises need to set up their sales organization anew.
Slimming Program for Strained Budgets
From paper clips to operating resources which are worth millions – the sum total of all purchases is a crucial management ratio as a component part of the costs for the insurance operation, aside from personnel costs. The Gothaer...
The Small Company's Charm
Those looking for a job in consulting usually have an eye on the real big names. But on the offside of McKinsey and Roland Berger, people often count more than doers. And working overtime is no key qualification. Three successful...
Improving Cost Structures in Inventory Management
In the future, it will be easier for enterprises to achieve optimum savings results in inventory management. A cooperation is established for it by Kerkhoff Consulting, consultancy for purchasing and procurement, and Inform,...
Hidden Consultants
McKinsey, Roland Berger, BCG – the big names in consulting are usually on the mind of those looking for a job as consultants. But many smaller consultancies also have job offers despite the economic crisis.
Cooperation of Kerkhoff Consulting and INFORM
Optimum inventory management frequently results in worsened purchasing conditions.
Manpower is important "Resource"
Dr. Philipp Rösler knew the precise figure: A new VW Rabbit would weigh 1,350 kilos, said Lower Saxony's Minister of the Economy on the occasion of the "3. Unternehmerforum Industriepark Lingen" (Third Entrepreneurial Forum of...
Inventory management: Kerkhoff Consulting Cooperates with Inform
As of now, Kerkhoff Consulting will be using the software of Inform GmbH from Aachen. This would help realize higher savings in their clients' inventory management, as explained in a current statement by the consultancy from...
Cattle Count
Kerkhoff. The branch office of the consultants in Sao Paulo has been provided with new assignments.
Hidden Consultants
McKinsey, Roland Berger, BCG – the big names in consulting are usually on the mind of those looking for a job as consultants. But many smaller consultancies also have job offers despite the economic crisis.
The Purchasing Consultant from Düsseldorf
The consultants at Kerkhoff save companies a lot of money
Purchasing saves 10 percent
How logistics service providers get through the crisis by purchasing optimization
Hoped-for upturn
Economic stimulus packages. The Federal Government is going to great expense to support the economy. It has been allocating 15 billion Euros for financing medium-sized businesses. However, the German state does not make presents.
Steps towards Green Procurement
How to effectively improve the corporate image with Green Procurement
Company from Düsseldorf beats McKinsey
The consultancy firm Kerkhoff Consulting, established by Gerd Kerkhoff, an entrepreneur from Düsseldorf, enjoys the highest reputation among German Executive Board members with regard to purchasing and procurement.
Exclusive report: Germany´s best management consultants
Management consultants. In many business sectors, McKinsey und Roland Berger are no longer top of the league. Smaller specialists often understand the business better. That´s the result of an exclusive report for Capital.
"Procurement Managers are currently achieving the most"
According to management consultant and expert for materials management, Gerd Kerkhoff, the hour of the procurement department has arrived.
Optimizing Procurement
Kerkhoff Consulting GmbH was established in 1998 and specializes in procurement optimization. Meanwhile, the Düsseldorf-based company has 260 employees and now no longer only advises manufacturing companies but also service and...
Globalisation strikes back
Due to increasing numbers of supplier insolvencies, many companies are restructuring their purchasing departments.
Purchasing as a liquidity engine
How to manage suppliers in a professional way.
Pure panic
…how companies will find the appropriate consultancy for their issues and how they should adequately prepare the projects
What customers want
Similar products, practically identical services – it is almost impossible to tell the difference between many CEP providers. In future, companies wanting to be successful will have to respond more and more to customer needs.
"Refocus purchasing rigorously"
Gerd Kerkhoff (50) is well acquainted with purchasing and purchase conditions. As a businessman he took advantage of price spreads on the coffee market at the end of the Eighties. He remained true to the overall topic. Kerkhoff...
Purchasing requires proficiency
Professional buyers have been mere henchmen of manufacturing for quite a long time. Today they determine how much raw materials are allowed to cost; they conduct negotiations with suppliers, solve technical issues and are the...
The financing trap snap shuts
France's president Sarkozy is setting the right priorities in this crisis, says top consultant Gerd Kerkhoff. A maximum time for payment, regulated by law, is part of the approach.
Procurement Management as a liquidity lever
How business managers can safeguard their cash-flow in the economic downturn by facilitating smart procurement management
No crisis due to anti-crisis projects
2009 has started off well for the management consultants: The customers are returning to the consultants after a slack in revenues during the second half of 2008. The reason: Many companies intend to weather the crisis with...
Following a cast-iron austerity path
Visionary growth projects are out, companies now want to quickly slash their cost base. The consultants have reacted quickly and are in good business shape. However, the surge in engagement contracts and prices could soon slump.
Managing suppliers in a professional way
Protecting cash-flow by facilitating smart supplier management
Consultants assist with Global Sourcing
Many companies are preparing for the discount battle with their suppliers
Good news for engineers from the consulting industry
Despite the current economic crisis, engineers and natural scientists are enjoying good job prospects at consulting companies; also, because this industry will continue to grow this year. "Two out of three consulting services...
Studio interview "Made in Germany"
Gerd Kerkhoff as live studio guest at a Deutsche Welle (DW) broadcast, March 10, 2009
Trend towards more truck spot transaction
More and more shipping agents are using the truck spot market instead of long-term contracts.
Why search every low and high, when good things could not be closer by?
A question of location: Relocations of production facilities abroad are as thrilling in a globalized world as the "Daily News" from 20 years ago. It starts to get more interesting when companies decide to put an end to their...
"Cost cuts of 10 per cent on average are achievable"
Gerd Kerkhoff is founder and owner-manager of Kerkhoff Consulting, headquartered in Düsseldorf, with about 220 employees in eight countries. The management consulting firm has focused on favorable purchasing in the B2B area from...
Central and Eastern Europe ‘not taking advantage of purchasing in low-cost Asia’
Low-cost Asian countries may be catching the eye of Western European purchasers but there are only limited indications they are attracting attention from buyers in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
Big time of the cost cutters
The economic downturn begins to hit the Management Consultancies: Business is getting more short-term, experts for business restructuring and turnarounds with hands-on experience are in great demand
Shopping expedition worldwide
Gerd Kerkhoff, Managing Partner of Kerkhoff Consulting GmbH in dialogue with Marlit-Christine Schnurr
"By then, the customer has already gone bust"
Management consultant Gerd Kerkhoff talks about hidden cash reserves in purchasing and how to realize them in the short-run.
Where smart spenders are making the big haul
Companies are having a close look at their purchasing function. Costs can often be considerably decreased by applying small changes.
"We are the new redeemers"
Germany's purchasing consultants are expecting a downright boom in requests within the next six months
Successful procurement in China
Purchasing in China can actually save a lot of money, but only if suppliers are professionally selected and high quality is being safeguarded through periodic inspections.
How automotive suppliers can survive the crisis
The automotive industry is facing one of its biggest challenges in its history: Sales have dramatically dropped in the recent months and former world market leaders are being threatened by bankruptcy. To help reduce the already...
Public-Sector-Consulting
Düsseldorf. About ten per cent of all consulting assignments in Germany are awarded by buyers of public sector institutions, according to the Federal Association of German Management Consultants (BDU e.V.). Based on the avowed...
Sharp View on Purchasing Costs
Kerkhoff Consulting employs 220 consultants worldwide
It's getting tight in the East
Suppliers are picky - qualified employees are scarce
Consultants are playing for higher stakes
Exclusive study: Consulting fees have increased by three per cent, however, hard bargains are taking place behind the scenes
