Already in 2013, HELLER had started the S.T.E.P. (Strategic Together Evolution Partnership) development programme. The goal of S.T.E.P. is to set strategic goals for Purchasing and Logistics, helping the company to remain competitive in the future. The following four focal areas were defined: cost reduction and the competitive situation in the product groups, short lead times, compliance with deadlines and global positioning with efficient processes. It means that material provisioning to the HELLER production locations worldwide and part availability for global service among other things need to be optimised on a continual basis. Accordingly, machining centres are only one aspect of these activities; application, process and after-sales service are equally important.
Currently, HELLER is one of only few German manufacturers of horizontal machining centres in this segment. This is one of the reasons why HELLER once again decided to bank on European suppliers this year, since the required quality and delivery flexibility are elementary in order to be and remain fast responding and at the cutting edge of technology. To achieve this, HELLER more than ever requires reliable and co-operative partners. Partnerships that according to Stephan Schnädter, Head of Purchasing and Logisitcs at HELLER, are beneficial to both parties: “HELLER will continue to grow as company in 2016. The need to cater to ever changing business conditions and to continually respond to current market requirements requires us to be flexible. Our new HF series is a key ingredient to achieving this. In terms of our supply partners it means that we are evaluating product quality as well as compliance with deadlines and quantities. Last but not least, we need to offer an attractive cost/benefit ratio around the globe.”
To perform this evaluation, HELLER used SAP data. In the process, product quality was weighted at 50 percent, adherence to deadlines at 37.5 percent and adherence to quantities at 12.5 percent. Prerequisite in order to qualify for this event is a minimum annual turnover with HELLER of €250,000 and a delivery performance of at least 90 out of 100 points. In June 2016, the top 40 suppliers were invited to Nürtingen. Awards were presented in the categories Best Delivery Performance and Best Innovation.
Integrated and combined innovations
In the area Best Innovation, the companies Bosch Rexroth AG and Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG were the winners. Whilst Bosch Rexroth received the award for an integrated, linear measuring system, Schaeffler Technologies convinced HELLER with an integrated rotary measuring system. Siemens AG received the award for Best Delivery Performance.
Guido Hettwer, Chairman of the Executive Board, Sales Central Europe at Bosch Rexroth, sees the award as a confirmation of his company's own innovative capability: “This award shows us that we are on the right course, because HELLER is clearly a technology leader in its market who is challenging us. Sometimes that means driving a hard bargain but always in a fair manner. We received the award for a newly developed integrated measuring system (IMS-A), combining the guiding and measuring function. The measuring process is contactless. This eliminates wear and also reduces downtimes. The integrated design helps to save space and installation time. Of course, this award is an incentive to us, because we invest large sums into the development of new products to further strengthen the competitiveness of our partners. HELLER is now leveraging the advantages of the measuring system in the new HF series.”
The award for Best Innovation was presented to two winners this year, as the company Schaeffler Technologies was able to convince the HELLER jury with their integrated rotary measuring system. Andreas Geier – Vice President Product Sales Volume Focus says: “We are the only manufacturer of anti-friction bearings, who has succeeded in combining anti-friction bearings with a measuring system. This innovative development offers many advantages for the new HF series and so deserved this award. We see it as a recognition. At the same time, it is an incentive for the future. HELLER is the leading manufacturer in this market segment. As development and engineering partners, we both benefit from a cooperative collaboration.”
Best Delivery Performance with 98 out of 100 points
The HELLER Award for Best Delivery Performance went to Siemens AG. With 98 out of 100 achievable points, the company succeeded in implementing the four strategic focal points in a sustainable manner. Thomas Klenk, Global Account Manager at Siemens AG, sees this award as a motivation for the future delivery performance: “Behind this achievement is an enormous logistics effort. All in all, we handled just under 8,000 orders. Considering this, scoring 98 percent means you must be getting many things right. Therefore we are delighted with the result – especially since we had always made it into the top ranks in previous years. That is why we were extremely motivated to claim the top spot. Now, of course, our ambition is to continue on this level, as the result shows that we are on the right course with our strong commitment. HELLER has been a major customer of our company for many years and is very important to us. At the same time, HELLER is a very innovative partner, dictating the technical pace in the market. So this partnership is definitely beneficial to both parties.”
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