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 are not coming back – and the "golden years" of virtually limitless globalization are over. What has already begun to emerge in recent years will have an even greater impact in 2026. Geopolitical tensions, the use of tariffs as a means of pressure, and export controls on important raw materials now dominate everyday life in many purchasing and supply chain organizations. Geopolitical chessboard: What is the next move in your purchasing strategy? Who...

Whether industrial giant or start-up - companies often have veritable parallel worlds. Departments optimize their processes in isolation, prioritize internal KPIs and pass on risks instead of managing them jointly and strategically. Who hasn't experienced this? In procurement, the focus is on savings, while in the supply chain, meetings are held one after the other to overcome operational bottlenecks due to inadequate supplier performance. This picture is representative of...