Suppliers as partners

In a business which focuses on furnishings and interior outfitting, the quality of the suppliers is key to the success of a project. Interior fitouts make up the core of Deutsche Werkstätten’s business. The success of a project depends on the quality of the suppliers. Ronny Neumann, Head of Procurement, describes the current situation: “with over 10,000 suppliers world-wide, of which some 3,000 can be relied upon to deliver high standards, we have identified a list of 100 suppliers who we regard as our top ‘100 Partners’.

Deutsche Werkstätten is known to have a different business approach, and procurement is no exception. The priority is not to reduce the cost by pushing down the prices at all costs, instead the priority remains ‘quality’ and to achieve the best possible result. Deutsche Werkstätten forge real working partnerships with their suppliers. Together they can develop and improve their work. Their experience and expertise in the procurement of specialized material composites, glass, mirrors, metals, leather, or fabrics, make Deutsche Werkstätten the ideal business partner for ambitious suppliers. Where else do you find procurement specialists who are happy when the suppliers themselves come forward with their own ideas and proposals to further improve the quality standards?

Sampling natural stone flooring © Photo: Deutsche Werkstätten

Deutsche Werkstätten buyers go to great lengths to forge real working relationships with their suppliers, visits to the factories at source and face-to-face meetings are high on the agenda. A business relationship is most successful when the partners know each-other well and in the best case, share the same high expectations.

Editorial note: This article was published in 2020.

Sampling natural stone © Photo: Deutsche Werkstätten