Centre of Competence

Holistic Excellence in Your Value-Creating Processes
In a world of increasing complexity and digital transformation, standard consulting is no longer enough. Our response to the challenges of the modern economy is a holistic framework that creates structure where constant change and dynamics prevail.
Welcome to our Centre of Competence.
What This Means

The Evolution of Project Management

We transform your value-creating processes into measurable competitive advantages through technological precision. At the core of this approach is professional project management that establishes clear accountability — from legal certainty to holistic value creation.

What our Centre of Competence means for you:

  • Maximum Process Transparency: Clear structures and full control for your complex projects and initiatives.
  • Intelligent Scalability: Through the integration of AI and automation, we create systems that flexibly grow alongside your evolving requirements.
  • Complete Accountability: Absolute clarity and security across all rights, obligations, and compensation models.

For the first time, we consolidated our steel volumes across subsidiaries and strategically positioned ourselves against future price fluctuations through price indexation.

Josef Eisele
,
Authorized Officer and Member of the Executive Management, Bauer Maschinen GmbH
Centre of Competence Procurement

Managing Procurement Effectively and Strengthening It Sustainably

Today, companies face the challenge of maintaining high-performing procurement operations in an environment shaped by growing uncertainty, technological disruption, and global dependencies. Modern procurement must not only operate efficiently, but also actively contribute to stability and competitiveness.

The ERA Group’s Centre of Competence Procurement offers a structured approach that enables organizations to manage complexity, create transparency, and make well-informed decisions. The objective is to establish procurement as a strategic and value-generating business function.

Our service areas for you:

Strategic Procurement

We develop robust category strategies, structure supplier portfolios, and create resilient decision-making frameworks for sourcing models.

Your benefits: strategic direction, more resilient supply chains, and a stronger negotiating position.

Operational Procurement

We reduce manual workloads, harmonise processes, and implement digital workflows that enhance efficiency and process stability.

Your benefits: up to 50% lower operational effort, greater process reliability, and improved scalability.

Inventory Planning

Through consistent planning parameters and modern forecasting models, we improve supply security while reducing tied-up capital.

Your benefits: fewer stock shortages, reduced inventory levels, and greater planning reliability.

Make-or-Buy Decisions

We develop decision-making models that systematically evaluate costs, risks, capacities, and technological factors.

Your benefits: transparent and strategically validated decision-making foundations.

Global Sourcing

We assess international procurement markets, evaluate geopolitical and logistical risks, and design resilient sourcing models.

Your benefits: cost advantages, risk reduction, and access to new markets.

Procurement Logistics

We analyse material and information flows, optimise transportation chains, and implement modern tracking and reporting systems.

Your benefits: reduced transportation costs, improved delivery reliability, and enhanced operational control.

The savings achieved enabled us to make a significant leap in profitability

Dr. Peter Rohrbach
,
Sole Member of the Executive Board, Cellent AG
Centre of Competence Production

Production as a Competitive Advantage: Efficiency and Resilience

Today’s production systems are more affected than ever by uncertainty, technological leaps, and structural complexity. Traditional optimisation approaches are reaching their limits. Companies need systems that operate in an integrated, data-driven, and resilient way — regardless of variability, labour shortages, or external disruptions.

The ERA Group’s Centre of Competence Production provides a clearly structured approach to meet these challenges. We combine established production methodologies with modern data and automation technologies to create production organizations that unite controllability, efficiency, and resilience.

Our service areas for you:

Production Planning & Control

We develop integrated planning architectures that connect ERP, MES, and shopfloor data. AI-supported models enhance forecasting, prioritization, and bottleneck management.

Your benefits: shorter lead times, improved on-time delivery performance, and better resource utilisation.

Material Flow Planning

We analyse material flows, simulate layout alternatives, and optimise routes, floor space, and supply concepts.

Your benefits: more stable operations, lower inventory levels, and reduced internal transportation costs.

Material Handling

We integrate autonomous transport systems, collaborative robotics, and intelligent conveyor technologies to reduce manual effort and improve process quality.

Your benefits: up to 40% fewer manual transport operations and greater process stability.

Automation & End-of-queue Solutions

We design automation systems that are fully integrated into the overall logic of the production environment — modular, scalable, and adaptable to product variations.

Your benefits: higher throughput, consistent quality, and lower total system costs.

Equipment Availability

We leverage machine data to systematically identify disruptions, enable predictive maintenance, and improve shopfloor management.

Your benefits: up to 25% fewer downtimes, improved OEE, and more reliable investment decisions.

Process Efficiency

We identify systemic bottlenecks, optimise machine-to-operator ratios, and create flexible control models.

Your benefits: increased output, more resilient process chains, and reduced operational risks.

Thanks to the ERA Group’s expert analysis and effective negotiations, we were able to achieve significant cost savings — a decisive advantage for Momentive Technologies given the current price develop

Mario Thämlitz
,
Supply Chain Manager, Momentive Technologies SH GmbH
Centre of Competence Logistics

Supply Chain as a Competitive Advantage: synchronise and Performance

The supply chain is the central nervous system of your company. In a market environment shaped by volatility and regulatory requirements (such as the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act – LkSG), speed and transparency determine market success. The ERA Group’s Centre of Competence Logistics & Supply Chain transforms your logistics operations from a cost factor into a strategic value driver.

  • Better – Perfect Order Achievement
    We improve your delivery reliability while meeting the highest standards of quality and flexibility.
  • Faster – End-to-End Pipeline Time
    We optimise your response times for new markets, distribution channels, and international expansion.
  • Cheaper – Cost-to-Serve
    We ensure that your investments deliver measurable returns and that your costs remain below industry benchmarks.

Our service areas for you:

Transport and Logistics

Whether by land, air, or sea, we optimise this core category to strengthen your business performance.

Your benefits: global resilience and optimised freight conditions.

Inventory Management

Modern inventory management is the foundation of operational excellence. We optimise the synchronise of goods flow and data flow to eliminate redundancies and increase responsiveness.

Your benefits: maximum transparency and greater process reliability.

Courier, Express & Parcel Services (CEP)

We help you navigate the complex service provider landscape.

Your benefits: benchmark-based pricing conditions and optimised lead times.

Warehousing and Intralogistics

We optimise your warehousing strategies and space utilisation through data-driven analysis.

Your benefits: reduced working capital commitment and maximum space productivity.

Packaging Management

We streamline your packaging portfolio while balancing cost efficiency, sustainability, and automation requirements.

Your benefits: reduced volume, lower material costs, and optimised product protection.

We benefited enormously from the ERA Group’s market expertise. In addition, we received intensive support throughout the entire process.

Thomas Rolle
,
Corporate Senior Vice President Global Operations and Supply Chain Programs, TTI, Inc.

Smart Process. Real Impact.

Every optimisation begins with understanding. We analyse your specific situation, define clear objectives, and ensure that all stakeholders — from procurement to production — are aligned toward a common goal.

Data is the foundation of every decision. We conduct an in-depth analysis of your spending structures and process workflows. Using modern tools, we uncover hidden inefficiencies and patterns.

Based on clear facts and insights, we develop tailored strategies. Whether it involves logistics digitization, production automation, or strategic sourcing, we identify the levers that will have the greatest impact on your value creation.

Concepts are only as effective as their execution. We actively support you throughout the implementation of new processes. Our approach is built on accountability, team enablement, and the seamless integration of new technologies such as AI.

Success must be measurable. In the final phase, we validate the achieved savings and performance improvements. We establish control mechanisms to ensure that efficiency gains are sustained over the long term and continue to deliver value.

Global Expertise, Local Insight

Find Your Local ERA Expert

Our consultants bring deep regional knowledge and hands-on experience to help you navigate opportunities and challenges in your country.

Spohr

,

Alexander

Friedberg

,

Andreas

Juestel

,

Andreas

Warner

,

Andreas

Pinl

,

Armin

Schneider

,

Bernd

Ebner

,

Bernhard

Kuypers

,

Bert

Geist

,

Birgit

Husemeier

,

Carsten

Engl

,

Christian

Kienle

,

Christian

Reinlein

,

Christian

Schier

,

Christian

Weden

,

Christopher

Steven

,

Christoph

Eberling

,

Claus

Heitmann

,

Claus

Falkenstern

,

Dagobert

Strasser

,

Daniela

Bernsee

,

Dennis

Schneider

,

Dirk

Steiner

,

Dirk

Becker

,

Dr. Christian

Wagenblast, Dr.

,

Joachim

Rolf, Dr

,

Reinhard

Junge, Dr.

,

Wolfgang

Fischer

,

Eiko

Bogdan

,

Emilian

Krone

,

Fabian

Gussek

,

Folker

Gehlfuß

,

Frank

Priebe

,

Frank

Seehausen

,

Frank

Staudacker

,

Frank

Reichart

,

Gerda

Ibler

,

Gerhard

Hager

,

Günther

Lux

,

Günther

Brammer

,

Hans-Jürgen

Raue

,

Hans Knut

Lampey

,

Harald

Meyer

,

Harald

Siemssen

,

Heiko

Heise

,

Henning

Sievers

,

Henrik

Bernhofer

,

Hermann

Heithorst

,

Hilmar

Janssen

,

Ilona

Schrottenholzer

,

Jan

Gebhardt

,

Jens-Michael

Schütz

,

Jessica

Merk

,

Joachim

Baisch

,

Johannes

Lenz

,

Julian

Pöllmann

,

Jürgen

Rausch

,

Jürgen

Schachne

,

Karsten

Pribil

,

Kerstin

Dürst

,

Kevin

Mißfeld

,

Kirsten

Plötz

,

Klaus-Michael

Goldbach

,

Konrad

Fundulus

,

Konstantin

Winkler

,

Kurt

Beys

,

Lorenz

Jäger

,

Manuel

Lange

,

Marc

Dobiasch

,

Mark

Klinghammer

,

Mark

Lang

,

Markus A.

Pohl

,

Markus

Ruikes

,

Martijn

Reissmann

,

Martin Ch.

Kalatschek

,

Martin

Droste

,

Matthias

Endler

,

Michael

Mehne

,

Michael

Nels

,

Michael

Paulus

,

Michael

Schoenberg

,

Michael

Von Mackensen

,

Michael

Ploth

,

Oliver

Wozniok

,

Oliver

Hadjinicolaou

,

Panos

Lichtblau

,

Patrick

Niessen

,

Patrick

Kruell

,

Peter

Wälchli

,

Peter

Seefeld, Prof. Dr.

,

Claas Ole

Martl

,

Raimund

Simon

,

Robert

Kuscheck

,

Robin

Greifeneder

,

Roland

Prehm

,

Roland

Schmid

,

Roland

Seefeld

,

Sabrina

Engel

,

Sascha

Guhl

,

Sebastian

Haas

,

Siegwald