Introduction 1.1 Problem and context How much negotiating power does the purchasing department have when the OEM suddenly threatens not to provide service or deliver equipment in an emergency? For me, this question was not a theoretical simulation exercise, but part of my everyday professional life in the chemical industry. Single-source setups, virtually no real price transparency, and suppliers who knew exactly how dependent we were on their equipment and spare parts...

One thing is certain: the 2000s aren’t coming back—and the “golden years” of virtually limitless globalization are over. What has already begun to emerge in recent years is shaping 2026 even more strongly. Geopolitical tensions, the use of tariffs as leverage, and export controls on key raw materials now define everyday life in many procurement and supply chain organizations. The geopolitical chessboard: What is the next move in your procurement strategy? Who...

Whether it’s an industrial giant or a startup—companies often operate in what amount to parallel worlds. Departments optimize their processes in isolation, prioritize internal KPIs, and pass risks along rather than managing them collaboratively and strategically. Who hasn’t seen this? In procurement, the focus is on cost savings, while in the supply chain, meetings follow one after another to address operational bottlenecks caused by poor supplier performance. This scenario is representative of...