{"id":29318,"date":"2025-10-08T19:59:37","date_gmt":"2025-10-08T17:59:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leanthinking.it\/?p=29318"},"modified":"2025-10-08T19:59:37","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T17:59:37","slug":"7-steps-to-lean-world-class","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leanthinking.it\/en\/7-passi-lean-world-class\/","title":{"rendered":"The strategic turning point in procurement: The 7 Lean World Class\u00ae steps for end-to-end excellence"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summary<\/h3>\n
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In an increasingly complex market, how do you transform the\u2019Purchasing department<\/strong>\u00a0from simple\u00a0cost center<\/strong>\u00a0to an engine\u00a0competitive advantage<\/strong>The answer is the\u00a0Lean World Class\u00ae Procurement<\/strong>a comprehensive methodology that extends the principles of\u00a0Lean Thinking<\/strong>\u00a0and of\u00a0World-Class Manufacturing (WCM)<\/strong>\u00a0to the entire\u00a0supply chain<\/strong>\u00a0to generate tangible value.<\/p>\n

This strategic approach is structured around\u00a0seven concrete steps<\/strong>, organized into phases (reactive, preventive, and proactive), to guide the company toward excellence. You will learn how to use essential tools such as\u00a0Kraljic matrix<\/strong>\u00a0for strategic supplier segmentation and how to leverage\u00a0digitization (Industry 4.0)<\/strong>\u00a0to automate processes and increase resilience. The focus shifts from the simple purchase price to\u00a0Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)<\/strong>, a crucial concept for eliminating waste (Change<\/strong>and the hidden costs associated with non-quality.<\/p>\n

The ultimate goal is clear:\u00a0Spend less, spend better<\/strong>, achieving measurable results such as a\u00a0reduction in operating costs of up to 30%<\/strong>\u00a0and an improvement in on-time delivery rates up to 95%. Discover how to transform your procurement into a strategic lever for\u00a0profitability<\/strong>\u00a0and business growth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In the current economic context, characterized by geopolitical instability, rapid technological changes (Industry 4.0<\/strong>and the increasing complexity of products, the traditional function of procurement<\/strong> (procurement) has long surpassed its role as a mere \u201ccost center.\u201d Today, the purchasing department is recognized as an element strategic<\/strong> able to directly influence profitability, liquidity (cash inflow<\/strong>) and the ability to innovation<\/strong> of the company.<\/p>\n

How can a company not only react to this scenario but transform it into a lasting competitive advantage? The answer lies in adopting a structured and rigorous approach: the Lean World Class\u00ae Procurement<\/strong>, a method that extends the principles of Lean Thinking<\/strong> and of World-Class Manufacturing (WCM)<\/strong> across the entire value chain, from suppliers to customers.<\/p>\n

Maximize Profitability with the Leverage Effect: The Lean World Class\u00ae Approach to Procurement<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n

To understand the importance of applying lean thinking to procurement, it is fundamental to analyze the specific weight of supply costs. In most manufacturing companies, spending on raw materials, components, and external services represents the cost item. more significant<\/strong> within the income statement.<\/p>\n

This is where the concept of \u201cLeverage effect\u201d<\/strong> (or leverage effect):<\/p>\n

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  1. Production cost:<\/strong> To increase profitability through production, significant efficiency improvements are necessary, often by reducing internal costs (labor, energy, processing costs). These improvements, while essential, tend to be incremental.<\/li>\n
  2. Cost of supply:<\/strong> Even a slight decrease in procurement costs results in a much more significant increase<\/strong> on operating profitability. For example, an 1% reduction in purchase costs can have an impact on the\u2019EBIT<\/strong> (earnings before interest and taxes) is much higher than that of an equivalent percentage increase in revenue, especially in low-margin sectors.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In summary, focusing improvement efforts on the management and optimization of procurement costs allows for immediate and relevant profit increases<\/strong>. Not only that: acting on the cost of materials, reducing inventory, and optimizing payment terms has a direct and positive impact on cash inflow<\/strong>, providing vital liquidity for investment and growth.<\/p>\n

    From Lean Thinking to Lean World Class\u00ae Procurement: an end-to-end approach<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    The Lean World Class\u00ae<\/strong>, (Bonfiglioli Consulting's proprietary methodology)<\/a>, is the mature evolution of both Lean Thinking and World Class Manufacturing (WCM).<\/p>\n