What makes production in East-Westphalia-Lippe so valuable.
Bad Salzuflen. (bre) If it were possible to choose a buzzword for 2022, the word “supply bottleneck” would probably be at the top of the list. Whether it’s raw materials of any kind, foodstuffs or materials from various industries — everything is in short supply and delivery times for some goods are delayed by up to months. First the pandemic — then the war in Ukraine — the circumstances under which companies have to produce and make delivery forecasts have not been as unpredictable for a long time as they are now.
Months of delivery time
In a survey conducted by DZ Bank in April, around 77 percent of medium-sized companies in Germany said they were experiencing supply bottlenecks at the time of the survey. Medium-sized companies were the most frequently affected. Here, the figure was as high as 88 percent.
Anyone currently looking to purchase a new bike or game console should have a long thread of patience. For these products, customers sometimes have to be prepared for delivery times of several weeks or even months.
These problems can be attributed, among other things, to factory closures in Asia or reduced freight capacity in the shipping industry. Shortages of raw materials and precursors lead to delays in the delivery of end products. Globalization as a blessing and a curse?
More difficult general conditions
For years, production abroad has offered itself as the perfect alternative solution for many companies. More difficult framework conditions in Germany and a lack of skilled workers versus reduced cost burdens and sufficient personnel are the driving arguments for companies to focus on manufacturing abroad. In order to be competitive and not to deteriorate economically in comparison with other companies, Germany has lost some of its attractiveness as an industrial location in recent years. So why should a company buck the trend and opt for domestic production?
The roots in East-Westphalia-Lippe
Dr. Brian Corley, Operations Manager at POS TUNING, has an answer: “POS TUNING has its roots here in East-Westphalia-Lippe. We not only have many well-trained specialists in the region, but also the necessary capacities to hold our own in the market. The industrial location of Lippe is extremely attractive, because the diversity of the corporate landscape is also the engine for innovation at the same time.”
With the decision to produce the meanwhile more than 2600 different articles exclusively on site in Lippe, POS TUNING makes itself largely independent of foreign countries. Products can still be delivered to customers on time. The high quality standard is therefore not in conflict with the production conditions. “We remain, despite the current difficult circumstances, a reliable supplier for our customers. This is a real challenge in the current economic crisis, but we also only ever promise what we can deliver,” explains Brian Corley.
Standard items are usually available immediately from stock. For customized products, delivery could take 6 to 8 weeks, he said. However, there would also be framework supply agreements with major customers that could run for several years.
Think and act with the future in mind!
POS TUNING also has to deal with the issues of raw material supply and material shortage. Sharply increased prices in the plastics sector and for oil and natural gas also affect POS TUNING. The shortage of skilled workers, especially in the technical field, is also becoming increasingly serious. What is the company doing to meet these challenges?
“We are permanently expanding our network of suitable raw material suppliers and are increasingly focusing on renewable, bio-based and recyclable raw materials. We train within the company itself and offer skilled and semi-skilled employees a wide range of internal and external training opportunities.” Thinking and acting with an eye to the future is the basis for the company’s success. That is why POS TUNING also invests in new machine technology and expands its production and logistics halls. And, of course, at the Bad Salzuflen site.
