CEDES Insights: Global Sourcing

03/12/2026

Daniel Hillmann, our Head of Procurement, explains how CEDES has realigned its global purchasing organization and digitalized key processes to successfully address global supply chain challenges. With harmonized workflows and a modern ERP system, procurement is evolving from an operational support function to an active contributor to corporate strategy.

Centrally managed, globally connected

CEDES operates multiple production sites worldwide, with local procurement teams. In recent years, however, the procurement organization has undergone a fundamental realignment. It was one of the first pilot projects to be established as a centrally managed global matrix organization – connected, transparent, and future-oriented.

Another milestone is the groupwide introduction of a new ERP system. This strengthens CEDES’ digital processes and drives e-procurement forward, ensuring greater transparency, efficiency, and traceability across the entire supply chain. With this transformation, CEDES underscores its commitment to remaining a strong, reliable, and future-oriented partner despite the global market challenges.

But above all, it is the people who make the difference. With new processes and systems in place, our professional buyers now have the right tools to focus on true value creation and strengthen cross‑site collaboration. Through knowledge sharing, mutual support, and the pursuit of common goals, the global procurement team can increase its efficiency and drive innovation with full energy.

Procurement as an active contributor to corporate strategy

Procurement today is far more than an operational function. It determines supply security, cost structure, innovation capability, and ultimately a company's market success. Accordingly, CEDES has fully integrated, harmonized, and strategically realigned its international procurement processes.

The new structure – with clearly defined roles, a global category management organization, and consolidated purchasing volumes – creates the foundation for a strong market position and targeted synergy gains. By leveraging strategic procurement capabilities, the function is evolving from a traditional “buyer” to an active contributor to corporate strategy.

Rising market demands, global crises, material shortages, and legal requirements have exposed the vulnerabilities of traditional supply chains. With its new global procurement structure, CEDES is pursuing the goal of systematically reducing risks, building long-term and partnership-based supplier relationships, and actively fostering innovation across the supply chain. This creates the foundation for sustainable success, even in a demanding market environment.

Daniel Hillmann
Head of Procurement CEDES Group