Our purchasing strategy

Our purchasing strategy is orientated towards the company's objectives and the corporate strategy developed on this basis.Maintaining and increasing competitiveness is a key component of this.Our purchasers develop a customised product group strategy for each of their materials, taking the following points into account:

• Quality awareness is the central element in this respect
• Risk minimisation in the supply chain, e.g. through a two-supplier policy
• Automation of data exchange
• Sustainability and consistent adherence to corporate compliance
   

Our suppliers are therefore a key criterion for our competitiveness. With our purchasing strategy, we want to establish long-term cooperation with the best companies in their sector, achieve our growth targets and successfully place our product innovations on the market.

When working with our suppliers, the quality delivered must match the quality of our own products and standards. This is the only way we can fulfil the high expectations of our customers together. Only in this way is it possible for us to fulfil the high expectations of our customers together. We evaluate our suppliers at regular intervals according to four criteria in order to fulfil our requirements in the long term:

• Purchasing (quantities and adherence to delivery dates)
• Quality (complaint rate and certifications)
• Purchasing performance (payment and delivery terms)
• Flexibility (customer requirements and co-operation)

We categorise our suppliers on the basis of this assessment. The result enables us to better assess the potential of our suppliers. We then determine which suppliers we should develop further and agree targets and specific measures with you.

Our expectations

What we expect from you for the benefit of our customers:

• Transparency and openness in the business relationship
• A high level of development and innovation expertise, which is actively incorporated into the development of our products
• Compliance with legal regulations on health and environmental protection, occupational safety and quality assurance
• Awareness of corporate social responsibility (CSR)
• Compliance with our code of conduct for suppliers
• Active cooperation in the joint implementation of cost reduction measures
• Guarantee of consistently high product quality
• Willingness to continuously optimize processes
• High level of logistics expertise and reliability in the supply of goods and services/reduction of delivery times and increasing flexibility in supply
• IT-supported exchange of information
• Competitive prices that are comparable with the global market

How to become a supplier?

How to apply as a supplier

Do you have innovative ideas that can take us forward together? Are you interested in a long-term and cooperative partnership? If you meet our high expectations and want to work successfully with us as a partner, you can simply apply to become a supplier:

In order to get to know you as a potential supplier and to become aware of you, we ask you to complete our supplier self-assessment with all associated documents as a first step. Please note that a fully completed form is a basic requirement for inclusion in our list of suppliers.

Note: The more comprehensive and up-to-date your data is, the better we can evaluate you as a supplier and select you for suitable inquiries.

We will of course treat this information confidentially and only use it for internal purposes. Your request will then be forwarded to the responsible contact person and a supplier profile will be created based on your details. If we have a requirement in your area, we will contact you directly. You will then receive our initial inquiry the next time you have a suitable requirement. If our requirements and your offer match and the initial samples meet our quality requirements, we will then add you to our supplier pool.

Please note: We can only consider applications from suppliers who offer materials and services that match our product portfolio. We ask for your understanding in this regard.

Responsibility towards the customer is always our top priority, which is why the supplier decision/approval is always the responsibility of the purchasing department.

Downloads

Here you will find the current versions of our documents in German and English:

• Supplier self-assessment

• General Terms and Conditions of Purchase

• Code of Conduct for Suppliers and Subcontractors (Code of Conduct)

• Delivery regulations 

• Confidentiality agreement

Other information:

• Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG)

• Information on invoicing for suppliers

• Guide to external company management / Guide to external company managementInstruction sheet on occupational safety for visitors and external company employees