CNC24 survey: majority of manufacturers want to increase sales via manufacturing platforms
An online survey of German and international manufacturing companies in the mechanical engineering sector, conducted by the procurement platform for precision components CNC24, revealed that 80 percent of both international and German suppliers want to increase sales via manufacturing platforms in the next twelve months.
Berlin, September 5, 2024 – In a recent survey conducted by Berlin-based smart manufacturer CNC24, 16 German and 39 international manufacturers were asked about current trends, needs and expectations. The results of the survey provide valuable insights into the future development of the mechanical engineering sector.
In times of increasing competitive pressure in a VUCA environment, the manufacturing industry is facing numerous challenges, particularly in the areas of globalization and digitalization. The survey results confirm that 62.5% of German manufacturers expect a poor order situation over the next twelve months. The ever-shorter delivery times and the persistent shortage of skilled workers (both 56.2%) are seen as equally problematic. All manufacturers surveyed see ever shorter delivery times and competitive pricing as the biggest challenges (both 51.3%). In contrast, the poor order situation was only mentioned by 33.3% of foreign manufacturers.
Collaboration with manufacturing platforms to relieve the purchasing department
The survey also confirms that manufacturers are increasingly turning to external solutions in the procurement process to relieve the burden on purchasing. According to the survey, both German (87.5%) and international manufacturers from Eastern Europe, China, India and Vietnam (84.6%) state with an absolute majority that they intend to increase their turnover through manufacturing platforms in the next twelve months. Half of German manufacturers and 46.2% of international manufacturers confirm that they are already working with two to three platforms, while 43.8% in Germany and 23% in the international sector have one production platform as a partner.
On the manufacturing side, capacity utilization, acquiring new customers and increasing sales are important aspects of collaboration with manufacturing platforms. At 87.5%, German manufacturers cite increasing turnover as the most important aspect, while 74.4% of international manufacturers cite gaining new customers as the most common reason for collaboration. Capacity utilization (51.3%) and increasing efficiency (48.7%) are in second and third place for foreign manufacturers.
“The persistently poor economic situation in the mechanical engineering sector is worsening, and we are also feeling the uncertainty among our customers and suppliers. Our regular supplier surveys give us a good overview of the current situation in mechanical engineering and the needs of the market. The problem is that the entire industry needs to modernize and rely on automated and digital processes. Digital procurement platforms can be an important partner here and support companies in maintaining their long-term competitiveness,” says Willi Ruopp, CEO and co-founder of the digital procurement platform CNC24.
Procurement platforms aim to relieve the burden on purchasing departments and establish a leaner, more efficient procurement process with the help of digitalization and automation. Digital procurement platforms provide customers with both a digital infrastructure and an international and audited network of manufacturers.
Germany and the EU dominate as reference countries
The most important countries of reference for manufacturing companies in the mechanical engineering sector are diverse and reflect global production and trade flows. Nevertheless, a clear focus of national and international manufacturers on the German and European markets is evident: for the majority of German manufacturers, Germany is the most important market at 68.8%, while only 6% cite the USA as their favorite. Compared to manufacturers from abroad, Germany and the EU are named as the most relevant markets by 82.1%, with the US market coming in third place. The most important sectors for manufacturers include mechanical engineering and the automotive industry.
About CNC24:
CNC24 is a digital B2B procurement platform through which individual precision components can be sourced transparently and efficiently. Manufacturers from 22 countries produce the mechanical components individually according to customer specifications. The manufacturing processes offered by the leading online marketplace for mechanical engineering include turning, milling, sheet metal processing and additive manufacturing.
With its innovative platform solution, the technology company creates a transparent process for the procurement of production parts and digitalizes the value chain through to a fully automated procurement process. The company’s successful positioning as a partner for SMEs in terms of digitalization and innovation was confirmed in 2023 when it was awarded the German Excellence Award in the “Digital Startup Champions” category and the “Employer of the Future” seal. Thanks to its global network of suppliers, the company can guarantee free capacity, high material availability and on-time delivery of components at all times.
For quality control, all parts undergo an additional inspection process in the in-house measuring center before they are delivered. CNC24 was founded in 2019 by co-founders Willi Ruopp and Marlon Gerat.
The start-up serves all industrial sectors with a need for production parts – from special machinery and plant engineering to IOT, medical, testing and measurement technology. Its customers include well-known companies such as SIEMENS, DIEHL Group, Qualcomm, KRONES AG, Carl Zeiss, Vishay, BASF, CERN, FANUC, Syntegon, Jonas & Redmann, the Max Planck Institute and Fraunhofer.
More information at: www.cnc24.com
Press contact:
Linda Amamra
schoesslers GmbH
+49 151 722 25406
New CNC24 location from 01.02.:
City Dock Berlin Center
Marzahner Street 21
13053 Berlin
