Inside DRÄXLMAIER’s Effort to Digitise Procurement Processes

The DRÄXLMAIER Group, a key player in global automotive manufacturing, has brought WNS Procurement and Ivalua on board to progress the digital transformation of its procurement processes.

This strategic move aligns with a necessity for robust procurement strategies to fulfil ambitious business objectives in what is a highly-competitive automotive landscape.

By collaborating with both a consulting service and software developer, DRÄXLMAIER anticipates significant enhancements in its operational processes.

The company's history is deeply rooted in innovation, beginning in 1958 when Lisa and Fritz Dräxlmaier Sr. started the venture from scratch, fulfilling a major contract for wiring harnesses through innovative means, including leveraging female home workers and evolving into interior production.

Today, DRÄXLMAIER stands as a key supplier to the world’s leading automobile manufacturers, including Audi, BMW and Porsche, with a workforce spanning 65,000 employees globally at dozens of sites in more than 20 countries.

The partnership's proactive impact on manufacturing

WNS Procurement is renowned for its procurement expertise, leveraging both AI and human intelligence to optimise end-to-end systems.

Meanwhile, the implementation of Ivalua’s Spend Management platform marks a crucial step for DRÄXLMAIER in unifying procurement procedures, supporting the organisation’s aim to streamline operations and improve supplier engagements.

Ivalua's platform offers a sophisticated, integrated solution that incorporates Supplier Risk & Performance Management and Contract Lifecycle Management, among other features.

The transformation promises to enhance DRÄXLMAIER’s efficiency and minimise risks across its sprawling global supply chains.

It also supports the company’s broader mission of sustaining its status as a market leader in automotive innovation.

"Leveraging Ivalua’s platform enables us to modernise, streamline and digitise our procurement processes for both direct and indirect spend," says Robert Suvak, Head of Procurement at DRÄXLMAIER.

"With the help of WNS Procurement, this transformation will improve efficiency, enhance supplier collaboration, and support our mission to advance the automotive industry.

"We have an ambitious transformation vision designed to elevate our market-leading position. Leveraging WNS Procurement’s expertise is essential to realising that vision." 

Expertise in manufacturing and procurement technology

Ivalua brings a cloud-based platform to the table, recognised for its spend management capabilities powered by AI.

It assists in effectively managing expenditures and supplier relationships, paving the way for increased efficiency and ESG performance while reducing risks.

DRÄXLMAIER’s decision to choose Ivalua reflects a leap towards digital integration, resonating with the company’s pursuit of streamlined and cohesive procurement operations.

Employees can shift their focus from manual tasks to more strategic elements of their roles, making efficient use of time and resources.

"Ivalua is proud to be the trusted spend management technology provider for the automotive industry," adds Jan-Hendrik Sohn, VP Sales Central & Northern Europe at Ivalua.

"WNS Procurement’s proven implementation expertise, alongside our best-in-class platform, represents a key differentiator for DRÄXLMAIER as it looks to digital transformation to drive automotive innovation." 

Manufacturing innovation through collaboration

The collaboration between DRÄXLMAIER, WNS Procurement and Ivalua represents a significant evolutionary step in the former's procurement strategy, which is vital in today’s complex manufacturing environment.

"WNS Procurement helps organisations unlock the full potential of their procurement functions through strategic digital transformation," continues Keshav R. Murugesh, Group CEO at WNS. "This approach transforms procurement into a proactive value creation engine, directly aligned to achieving business results.

"By deploying Ivalua’s platform, we will support DRÄXLMAIER to drive greater efficiency and proactively address risks across increasingly complex supply chains. This implementation delivers tangible value to the bottom line with data-driven and digitally enabled procurement solutions."

The new digital implementation brings a comprehensive, modern approach to managing procurement. With all tools centralised, DRÄXLMAIER can maximise efficiency in facing global supply chain challenges while maintaining a competitive edge through enhanced supplier interaction and process optimisation.

The collaboration exemplifies progressive thinking in the manufacturing sector, pivoting to data-driven decision-making and fostering an environment primed for innovation and growth.

This strategic alignment with WNS and Ivalua is poised to generate tangible benefits, showcasing DRÄXLMAIER’s commitment to advancing its operational prowess and market position.