Project interview Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH

Sector: Trade

Optimization measures including:

Annual talks, condition improvements, negotiations
Supplier discussions to identify collaborative realizable savings potentials
Exemplary processed material groups: Logistics optimization, women ́s fashion

Robert Okon, Head of Supplier Management at Karstadt Warenhaus GmbH, reports on his experiences with a Kloepfel project.

Were you skeptical or rather open-minded at the beginning of the project?
Robert Okon: Based on my previous experience with consulting, I was curious to see how Kloepfel implemented the prior propagated implementation orientation and project closeness in everyday life. Skeptical is the wrong word, it was rather a tense expectation.

Marcus Schilling

Director Commerce

T +49 211 875 453 23

What were the biggest challenges at the beginning of the project?

Robert Okon: On the one hand, Kloepfel Consulting had to get to know the dependencies and internal mechanisms of Karstadt. Another challenge was to negotiate an additional condition with difficult framework conditions without making concessions.

To what extent does the optimization have a lasting effect on your day-to-day business?

Robert Okon: Through performance-related remuneration, only real successes that are actually visible in our system in the long term are deposited, so we were able to present real effects.

How would you describe the operating principles of the Kloepfel project team with three words?

Robert Okon: Practice-oriented, collegial, implementation-oriented

Joint project success is also always person-dependent. We are talking about being temporary colleagues in the projects. How was your feeling?

Robert Okon: We were able to develop a common basis very quickly and therefore we had the feeling that we did not necessarily have external support. The coordination was always open and uncomplicated.

Some suppliers had to get used to seeing new Kloepfel faces at the negotiating table in addition to the familiar contact persons of our company. How have you experienced these situations and what were the reactions from the suppliers?

Robert Okon: Very different, we actually had internal discussions due to negative feedback from suppliers for whom the situation was very unusual. However, the majority of suppliers was neutral or open to the new situation. Thanks to the ongoing coordination within the team, we were able to adjust well and react accordingly if there was a need. In the end, the solution was in the foreground.

What is your conclusion after the end of the project?

Robert Okon: We have worked with Kloepfel Consulting in various project phases and can look back on a proud result in savings that are transparent and comprehensible thanks to the implementation-oriented approaches, also in the internal statement. The daily cooperation and high integration of the Kloepfel team has made us colleagues for over 1 ½ years, who have accepted both our structure and communication channels.

Thank you very much for the interview!

We make the deals for you!

Feel free to contact us. Phone: +49 211 875 453 23 or Mail: info@kloepfel-consulting.com

Contact