The new process clearly distinguishes between a standard and a project approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In standard cases \u2013 typically in traditional FST business \u2013 the focus is on speed. Based on representative benchmarks, make-or-buy decisions are made for entire part families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In contrast, projects in the R&D or incubator environment require a more detailed assessment. Technology and supplier scouting, closely aligned with Lead Center Metals and Direct Material Procurement, go hand in hand with a parallel evaluation of internal and external sourcing options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Part Families as an Organizing Principle<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For standard products, the team \u2013 comprising members of the Lead Centers and the purchasing organization \u2013 has adopted a pragmatic approach: parts with similar characteristics can be evaluated using similar criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each new standard request is therefore assigned to a clearly defined part family. These families group stamped and deep-drawn parts with comparable geometry, technical complexity, and manufacturability. Based on this classification, the respective customer Lead Center jointly decides how future requests within a part family will be handled \u2013 whether the parts are produced in-house (\u201cmake\u201d) or sourced externally (\u201cbuy\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Benchmarks for part families serve as the basis for these decisions, using selected metal parts that represent the broader portfolio of each family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGrouping parts into families makes the make-or-buy process faster, more structured, and economically more robust through transparent benchmarking,\u201d says Alexander Kubsch, Project Manager at Lead Center Metals. \u201cAt the same time, it helps sustainably reduce complexity, risks, and costs by leveraging economies of scale.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n These decisions are not static. They can be reviewed at regular intervals \u2013 depending on customer requirements \u2013 through benchmark comparisons or cost analyses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pilot Groups Tested the New Process<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pilot projects within the Lead Centers Special Sealing Automotive and Heavy Duty have demonstrated that the new sourcing process works in practice, supported by extensive benchmarking comparisons in Europe and the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Lead Center Special Sealing Automotive, benchmarking within the offset seals part family resulted in clear decisions in favor of in-house production, with measurable cost advantages in both regions. Similar effects were observed in Lead Center Heavy Duty, where seven out of nine part families were assessed as economically viable for internal production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to cost benefits, participants highlighted shorter quotation times, reduced coordination efforts, and significantly greater transparency in decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith this project, we are bringing structure to a complex topic and now benefit from a shared decision-making framework that is transparent and easy to follow. While this requires some initial effort, it makes us significantly faster and more efficient in the medium to long term,\u201d says Pill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Giorgio Cucco, who oversaw the pilot project for Lead Center Heavy Duty in Luserna, adds: \u201cCommunication has improved noticeably. Strategies are more closely aligned, and financial flexibility can be used more effectively. From the Lead Center\u2019s perspective, the pilot was a clear success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rollout to Additional Divisions Underway<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The process is now mapped in Signavio and supported by CRM documentation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next steps include refining global part family definitions, providing process and CRM training, and rolling out the approach to additional divisions. Implementation is currently underway in the Dynamic Sealing and Static Sealing divisions, followed by Special Sealing and Fluid Power. The rollout is expected to be completed by early 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sw.fst.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image.png\")
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