The success of trading and manufacturing companies is strongly tied to the fact that the quality and reliability of supply of products, preliminary products or raw materials is always guaranteed. Selecting the right suppliers is all about efficiency and cost-effectiveness, yet sustainability and reputation must also be considered. Companies that rely on supplier assessment according to ISO 9001 have an advantage – they benefit in terms of management and optimization of their supply chain. For example, the implementation of the Supply Chain Act, which has been in force since January 1st, can be firmly based on a systematic assessment of suppliers. We explain the added value that is associated with the certification and discuss which criteria are relevant.

Collaboration and data exchange within the supply chain is a decisive factor for German companies that aim to increase the efficiency of procurement processes. This view is held by two-thirds of the total of 150 logistics and supply chain managers surveyed for the 17th Hermes-Barometer on "Collaboration in the Supply Chain". Factors that promise a better overview within the supply chain, a higher degree of efficiency and more precise coordination of processes are rated as particularly critical to success. However, when it comes to implementation, companies face technological and personnel obstacles. Our recent blog post provides a detailed insight into the results of the survey.

The global pandemic, severe weather events or new legislations such as the Supply Chain Act – in the face of continuing risks and rising demands, companies in the manufacturing sector are increasingly looking for approaches to optimize their supply chains. 3D printing processes, also known as additive manufacturing, have paved the way to new opportunities that are aimed to make supply chains more cost-efficient and sustainable, whilst keeping the risks low at the same time. We explain how the innovative manufacturing technology can be applied and discuss the benefits that it offers.

Change of leadership at Hermes International: After more than a decade, Stephan Schiller, former Managing Director of Hermes Europe GmbH and CEO of Hermes International, is taking on a new role at his own request.. In this challenging time for logistics and supply chain management, he is handing over to Henning Udo Goldmann, who has already been with the company as an expert on digitalization topics. We spoke with the previous and the new managing director about the development of the logistics industry, current requirements, shared values and how Hermes International will accompany its customers into a future characterized by transformations.

Digitization can make a decisive contribution when it comes to achieving Germany’s climate targets by 2030. This was the conclusion of a study conducted by Accenture for the digital association Bitkom, which examined the influence of various digital technologies on the net savings potential of CO2 emissions using case studies in seven sectors of the economy. Accordingly, the areas of industrial manufacturing and mobility offer the greatest reduction potential. Following the results of the study, a decisive lever can be the optimization of routing and freight management.