Mechanical Engineering & Plant Engineering

High cost and competitive pressures, long project durations, and increasing demands for delivery reliability, flexibility, and transparency present unique challenges for procurement and the supply chain in the mechanical and plant engineering sector. Product variety, project-driven procurement, and close integration with engineering require a clear strategic direction and effective management. amc supports companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector in making their procurement and supply chain operations future-proof, professionalizing processes, and sustainably increasing value contributions.

Screenshot March 3, 2026

  • Maturity of this industry in the procurement agenda

    49 %

  • Completed Projects

    36

  • Average value contributions achieved in optimization projects

    4,5 %

  • Average efficiency gains in process and digitalization projects

    18 %

    • Executive Summary

    The mechanical and plant engineering sector is characterized by high product and variant complexity, project-based business models, and a heavy reliance on specialized suppliers and intermediate inputs. Long lead times, volatile material prices, and increasing demands for quality, on-time delivery, and flexibility are driving the need for greater control in procurement and the supply chain.

    At the same time, pressure is mounting on costs, lead times, and working capital, while demands for transparency, digitalization, and resilience are increasing throughout the entire value chain.

    Fabian explains with a smile

    Common challenges

    “Project-based work and production processes are only partially integrated.”

    “A high degree of reliance on specialized suppliers increases the risks associated with deadlines and costs.”

    “Volatility in material prices makes it difficult to perform reliable cost estimates and manage costs.”

    Areas of Focus

    Shaping the Future

    amc helps your company develop a clear vision for the future of its procurement

    Optimize costs

    amc helps your company optimize costs in a sustainable way

    Develop organizations

    amc supports your company in further developing your supply chain organization

    Establishing Resilient Supply Networks

    amc helps your company build resilient supply chains.


    's References in Mechanical Engineering & Plant Engineering

    Global cost and savings initiatives in indirect procurement: potential analysis, methodology, and international implementation teams. amc established transparency and control—ensuring the sustainable achievement of savings targets.
    Optimization of supply chain planning across all levels (operational/tactical/strategic) with a focus on S&OP. amc harmonized processes and interfaces—for greater planning reliability, transparency, and cross-functional coordination.
    Development of a company-wide digitalization roadmap for procurement, including target processes, requirements specifications, and system selection. amc supplemented these with cost optimization projects—to improve efficiency and scalability and provide a clear basis for decision-making.
    Digitalization Roadmap for Global Production Materials Procurement: Target processes, requirements, and structured tool/system selection through to management decision-making. amc enhanced process consistency and controllability.
    The “Purchasing of the Future@item” program for the strategic and operational realignment of global procurement. amc developed the target vision, procurement strategy, and business case—and supported the transformation, including processes, organization, tools, and KPIs.

    Relation to the shopping list

    The results of the Procurement Agenda show that companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector have significant room for improvement, particularly in the areas of strategy and management, the integration of procurement into projects, as well as transparency and digitalization. The average maturity level in these areas is often below 50%. Given the high variety of product variants, project-driven procurement processes, and increasing supplier dependency, companies benefit particularly from clear objectives, structured cost control, and resilient supply networks.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently Asked Questions from Our Customers

    Yes. The areas of focus cover both project-based and recurring business and specifically address the interfaces with engineering and project management.
    Involving the procurement department early on is crucial for managing costs, delivery times, and risks as early as the development phase.
    Initial improvements in transparency, delivery capability, and cost control can often be achieved in the short term. Structural changes in the organization and supply networks take effect in the medium term.
    Lorenz K: Full-length portrait, facing forward
    “Through our consulting approaches, we make our clients’ procurement processes more effective, sustainable, and faster.”
    Management

    Lorenz Kleinert

    +49 (0) 171 41 95 962
    lorenz.kleinert@amc-group.de

    Let’s talk about the challenges you’re facing

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