We have been working successfully with the VDMA – German federation mechanical and plant engineering – for over 4 years and offer one-day training courses and training series in various subject areas.

The cooperation between the VDMA and ADCONIA started in 2020, when the training series „Certificate Course Strategic Purchasing Manager“ was held for the first time. Divided into four modules of two days each, the participants are now in their fifth year of being introduced to the basics of strategically oriented purchasing in a practical way. The division of the 4 modules is as follows:

• Module 1: Basics of strategic purchasing
• Module 2: Cost transparency in purchasing
• Module 3: Preparing and conducting negotiations
• Module 4: Digitalization in purchasing

In line with our Adconia motto „From practitioners for practitioners“, the content is presented to participants by our three experts Gregor van Ackeren, Oliver Kreienbrink and Rainer den Ouden in a practical way with everyday examples and tips.

Building on this, the collaboration was expanded in 2022 and the range of training courses in the area of sustainability was greatly extended. The one-day training courses on the following topics

• Supply Chain Due Diligence Act
• CO2 balance for medium-sized companies

have been held several times a year in regular online and face-to-face sessions since 2022 and have been well received by VDMA member companies. As new laws and requirements are constantly emerging, participants are informed in detail about any requirements that may apply to them.

In order to report on our practical experience in the training courses and exchange with the companies, we would like to put three questions to Adconia partner Rainer den Ouden, who is not only an expert in the field of digitization in purchasing, but also supports the topic of sustainability and the related CO2 balancing training.

Please introduce yourself and your areas of expertise at the VDMA training courses.

Rainer den Ouden:

I am Rainer den Ouden, 43 years old and have not only been able to accompany companies as a consultant for over 15 years, but was myself responsible for supply chains for over 5 years, starting in Asia and then distributing worldwide. Interim mandates in digitization projects, which I have been able to carry out intensively over the last 5 years, are also a different perspective than a classic consulting mandate. All of this helps me to stay true to our motto „From practitioners for practitioners“ and to always have a suitable practical example to hand.

As a father of two wonderful children, I am committed to bringing more sustainable practices into the business world. Even as Head of Supply Chain, sustainability was one of the topics for which I was intensively responsible, even if it was „only“ called Corporate Social Responsibility at the time. And so I am happy to share my knowledge here, whether it’s about sustainability reporting such as CSRD, CO2 balancing, product carbon footprint or the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act.

What are your experiences so far?

Rainer den Ouden:

The composition of each training group is always exciting to observe, especially with regard to the group dynamics. Different company sizes, different fields of activity within mechanical and plant engineering and different levels of maturity in terms of digitalization, sustainability and culture come together. But what all the groups have had in common so far is that, with an open exchange and mutual advice, something practical remains for everyone. It is also fitting that even after the training or the training series, the contact within the participants does not break off and the expansion of the network is helpful in many situations. I have spoken to several participants from the first certificate course this week and the exchange on current topics and challenges continues.

Contrary to the assumption that mechanical and plant engineering is a male-dominated industry, particularly in purchasing, I am pleased to note that our seminars are now increasingly diverse. This also adds another positive aspect to the group dynamics I mentioned earlier.

What do you take away from the training courses and the exchange with the companies?

Rainer den Ouden:

How often good ideas and approaches are repeatedly put on the back burner and shelved due to the stress of day-to-day business and the fear of taking the first step. I’m always pleased to receive feedback from participants who have managed to start or successfully implement an important topic after our seminars, even if it’s not textbook afterwards, but was the right and important first step.

With every seminar, I always get exciting insights into the companies and the participants can offer valuable insights into proven methods and strategies that are successful in their field. I can then integrate these best practices into my training courses and provide participants with practical solutions.

Last but not least, the direct feedback from participants helps me to continuously improve my own skills as a trainer and to continue to make my training courses practical and collaborative.

Thanks to Rainer den Ouden for the exciting insight! We look forward to further cooperation with the VDMA and many joint training courses.