56% of surveyed procurement departments describe their level of digitalization as Excel-dependent or still very traditional with paper, email, and telephone. At the same time, cost pressure, geopolitical risks, and procurement requirements are increasing. In the webinar, three procurement leaders from industry contextualize the results of a survey among 160 procurement departments and share their own AI practices.

Starting Point — Excel Dependency and Hidden Cost Drivers

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The survey shows: Most of industrial procurement still operates without data-driven support. Rising energy prices, labor costs, and geopolitical tensions coincide with fragmented data landscapes and time-consuming manual processes. Hidden cost drivers—for example, unnoticed shifts in the volume ratio between suppliers—remain invisible without automated analysis.

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AI as a Lever — from Data Preparation to Negotiation

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Technotrans, Schenker Storen, and SteelcoBelimed are deploying AI today in concrete core areas: automated identification of consolidation opportunities, negotiation dossiers at the push of a button, price increase defense, and supplier relocation. At Technotrans, an AI alert led directly to the identification of a consolidation opportunity. At Schenker Storen, an automated alert detected an unnoticed shift toward the more expensive supplier.

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Building Acceptance — What Change Management Has to Do with It

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Schenker Storen, with around 800 suppliers and 100 million CHF in procurement volume, has already firmly integrated AI into daily procurement operations. Florian Stadter emphasized: Acceptance does not come from technology alone, but through transparent communication, targeted training, and the clear message that AI creates strategic capacity.

Florian Stadter, Head of Group Purchasing, Schenker Storen

Stefan Cittrich, Global Head of Procurement / Vice President, technotrans

Zvjezdan Garic, Director of Supply Chain & Direct Procurement, SteelcoBelimedT

Torben Hinrichs, Procurement Excellence Expert, Tacto

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Watch the webinar recording now and learn how leading procurement departments are using AI concretely today.

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