2005-2006 Financial Statements and Management Report

ThyssenKrupp best projects worldwide 2005/2006
7,500
6,000
4,500
3,000
1,500
0
projects in process completed projects (adjusted for 494 projects at discontinued operations)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND MANAGEMENT REPORT Business management – goals and strategy
O N D J 2006 F M A M J J A S
Purchasing initiative adds new impetus
New impetus was added by the successful purchasing initiative, which achieved considerable cost
reductions in the reporting year and now comprises more than 920 projects. Following the pilot phase,
in which the first projects were launched and successfully concluded, the Groupwide roll-out began in
2005. The successes have been achieved through systematic worldwide use of strategic and operating
methods made available centrally by Corporate Materials Management and rolled out in cooperation
with all segments. For example, teams from the technology, quality, logistics and purchasing areas
used the Global Sourcing methodology to investigate numerous product categories and identify new
supply sources.
At the Best Practice Day Purchasing in November 2005, managers from all segments were able to
find out about project ideas and purchasing tools and discuss applications in their segments with purchasers
and technology experts. One focus was on cross-company project ideas, supported by purchasing
tools such as supplier management, global sourcing and e-procurement. Many of these ideas
were translated into projects in 2006.
Awards for successful teams
In the year under review, ThyssenKrupp best Awards were again presented to the best project teams.
All segments and the Group holding company were eligible to enter, and projects were judged by a
panel on the basis of their financial results, scope and methodology. Since one of ThyssenKrupp best’s
key aims is to intensify knowledge transfer within the Group, judging focused above all on the extent to
which project results can be transferred to other areas of the Group. Due to the excellent standard of
work, four project teams won ThyssenKrupp best Awards. The coveted first prize was won by a team
from the Technologies segment for its project entitled “Expansion of service activities” in project and
order management for the cement and minerals industry. Second prize went to a project team from
Services which explored new ways of reducing financial liabilities. Joint third prize was awarded to
teams from Stainless and Elevator for the reduction of maintenance costs and the establishment of the
SEED School. For more information on the SEED School, please turn to page 43.
FOUR PROJECT TEAMS RECEIVED
THYSSENKRUPP BEST AWARDS
FOR THEIR SUCCESSFUL ENTRIES.
57