Industry knowledge - the basis of successful consulting

Following a sharp decline in sales during the COVID 19 pandemic, the German automotive industry is recovering to pre-crisis levels. Nevertheless, disruptive changes such as new mobility concepts, autonomous driving, e-mobility and digitalization are increasingly challenging established business models. Medium-sized suppliers must reinvent themselves as "digital companies" and thus face enormous, sometimes existential challenges. 

Due to our roots in the automotive location of Baden-Württemberg, bachert&partner has developed a profound understanding of the medium-sized supplier industry. Our clients include well-known component and parts manufacturers in metal, plastics and electrical engineering as well as module and system suppliers. Our expertise extends to related industries in tool-making, special vehicle construction and downstream dealers and service providers.

We strengthen your automotive core business and create capacities for innovations by reducing the complexity of your existing products and simplifying the processes and structures along your value chain. In doing so, we not only scrutinize your production and assembly processes, but also logistics, maintenance, quality management and administration. Your processes will not only become more efficient, but also more flexible and agile.

Central European machinery and plant manufacturers were still achieving record sales until 2018. Rising energy and raw material costs combined with economic risks pose massive challenges for the industry. A differentiated picture is emerging: While machines for the production of semiconductors are booming, sales of paper and printing machine are for example falling. Machine tool manufacturing is also suffering from the disruptive changes of its main customers in the automotive supply industry. In addition, Chinese competitors, in particular, are increasingly penetrating the traditional niches of the German manufacturers. 

As one of the leading management consultancies in the German mechanical and plant engineering sector, we have specific knowledge of markets, technologies, and applications. With our industry experts, we can assess products and value creation in depth and develop convincing strategies. Our clients include leading companies in the fields of tooling, packaging, printing and paper processing machinery, automation, and conveyor technology, as well as machines for the production of pharmaceutical products and foodstuffs. We also advise well-known component manufacturers (e.g. drives, aggregates, electronics) and specialists in process and automation technology. 

Our consulting spectrum includes the review of business models and the support of entrepreneurs in crisis situations. The focal points of bachert&partner are the introduction of process-oriented organizations, the activation of sales, the development of a professional service organization and the reduction of costs. We create transparency in costing and reliability in project management through industry benchmarks and our own tools.

The  German construction industry faced unusual challenges due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Limited travel led to severe restrictions on the availability of often foreign subcontractors last year. In addition, since the beginning of 2021, bottlenecks in building material and construction material suppliers, as well as rising prices for raw materials, have been causing problems for the industry. 

The project business typical for the industry is characterized by long terms, complex financing, constant changes in the scope of services and consistent supplements. At the same time, future topics such as sustainability, resource efficiency, and digitalization (including BIM) are increasingly coming into focus. 

The experts at bachert&partner support you in mastering the complex challenges. In the area of construction and construction suppliers, we have specific knowledge of building construction, road construction and civil engineering, building material manufacturers and a wide range of suppliers (including window and façade manufacturers, electrical, heating, air conditioning and sanitary equipment suppliers, trade fair, shop and interior fitters). We provide support both in the conception and implementation of future strategies and in the design of efficient service provision.

Industrial service providers account for an increasingly large share of the value added in the traditionally strong manufacturing industry in Germany. The sector is characterized by fierce price competition, a high degree of transparency and comparability of services and, as a result, a short-lived competitive advantage. In addition, there is competition for qualified skilled workers, the most important resource for any service provider. The current shortage leads to rising personnel costs, which can only be passed on to a limited extent. 

The rapid pace of digitalization is creating numerous new niches and product combinations. Companies are therefore faced with intense competition in terms of  time and ideas and are required to make the best possible use of available data on customers, processes, flows of goods and information. Only in this way can they efficiently offer individualized solutions and stand out from the crowd.

Our experience in the field of industrial services is diverse and covers the areas of personnel services, engineering/manufacturing services, facility management services and guard and security services. We provide support both in the conception and implementation of future strategies and in the design of efficient organization and service provision. One focus is on the implementation of innovative Service 4.0 concepts.

The technology industry is characterized by a particularly high level of dynamism and increasing complexity in terms of innovations and markets. New business models around IoT, cloud computing, robotics, data analytics and 3D printing have established themselves. The integration of infrastructure, content and services favors global platform providers, while, aggressive, well-funded start-ups are penetrating lucrative niches. While the old business of traditional providers is declining, new growth areas are emerging. 

The need for sound market information and innovative business models is growing steadily. It is more important than ever to develop customized products and digital distribution forms that fit both the customer's requirements and the providers' processes and capital resources. 

Our experience in the technology and media industry is diverse and covers the segments of software and system houses and start-ups as well as agencies, printers, and publishers. We support both the evaluation of new business models, the conception of future strategies and the implementation of efficient, digital processes. Through our access to capital partners, we can tailor financing solutions to support new ventures in a manner that aligns with their needs and risk profile.

New technologies and changes in customer/patient behavior, combined with optimized diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, place increasing pressure on medium-sized manufacturers to innovate. At the same time, legal requirements and budget restrictions limit the scope for action, Presenting management with challenging questions about future positioning and operational performance. 

Our experience in the pharmaceutical industry and medical technology is diverse and covers all forms of pharmaceuticals (OTC and Rx) as well as active and passive medical devices across a wide range of medical disciplines. We understand the requirements of pharmaceutical companies, regardless of whether they are MAH or contract manufacturers or component manufacturers, as well as those of system and solution providers in the medical technology environment. 

We are familiar with the industry trends and the challenges of our customers from consulting projects as well as business management functions in various areas of medical technology (e.g. device industry, manufacturers of disposables as well as customers such as public and private hospitals) as well as the pharmaceutical industry (originator, generics, biotechnology). Together with our clients, we develop solutions to achieve measurable results.

Manufacturers of consumer goods and durables are currently experiencing fundamental changes due to large fluctuations in raw material costs, changing consumer behavior, increased competitive pressure, and transparency. Additionally, the development of new retail formats poses numerous challenges. The digitalization of production (“Industry 4.0”) offers sustainable opportunities for these industries, including digitalization of products, process, and sales processes. 

Our experience in the consumer goods manufacturing sector is diverse and extends to the segments of food, textiles and shoes, furniture, sports and leisure equipment, and packaging. We provide support in both the conception and implementation of future strategies and in the design of efficient organization and service delivery.