PDF (7.3 MB) - GILDEMEISTER Interim Report 3rd Quarter 2012

88Corporate Situation: Research and Development / Purchasing and ProcurementIn the “Energy Solutions” segment, the product range was extended to include the promisingfield of energy storage through a majority equity interest in Cellstrom GmbH. Withthe “cellcube” big battery, a+f GmbH offers an energy storage system based on the vanadiumredox flow principle. The low maintenance system can be used as a solar electricityfuelling station or to supply uninterrupted power. In the area of solar technology, a+fGmbH rounds off its existing product range at the lower end of the construction size withthe “SunCarrier 120” solar tracking system. With eight different product types, a+f GmbHoffers a comprehensive range for all the main solar markets. Furthermore, expanding theServices area offers our customers a clear additional benefit through improved monitoringand reporting quality. gildemeister presented the interaction and efficiency of theproducts for the first time in an “Energy Solutions Park” on the Bielefeld plant premises.This strategy for the future combines environmentally-friendly and co2-free energyproduction through the “SunCarrier” with energy storage through the “cellcube” andthe use of an e-fuelling station.Purchasing and Procurementbusiness reportCorporate SituationCost reductions of4% achievedIn the area of purchasing and procurement gildemeister made use of the difficulteconomic situation in the reporting year to improve the costs of materials. Close communicationwith our long-term supply partners on the one hand and the expansion of globalsourcing activities on the other, have led to long-term savings. Overall, it was possible toachieve cost reductions throughout the group of 4%.Expenses for materials and purchased services increased due to the rise in total operatingrevenue to € 768.1 million (previous year € 559.8 million), of which materials andconsumables accounted for € 654.7 million (previous year: € 463.4 million). The materialsratio rose due to an increase in business volume of the dmg ecoline and of the materialintensive“SunCarrier” to 55.9% (previous year: 48.9%). Our real net output ratio was27.5% (previous year: 32.1%).Our integrated procurement management system is based on three component parts:coSupply ® supplier management, materials groups management and integrated globalsourcing. These three parts gave us the necessary flexibility demanded by the difficulteconomic environment during the reporting year. Joint process analyses with existingsuppliers contributed to securing our materials supply. The share of our top 50 suppliers