Christian Zeller

The production networks of most medium-sized companies have evolved over time. What may have been sensible and efficient years ago often no longer serves its purpose in an era of volatile demand, fluctuating customer orders, and short product life cycles. For example, if one plant is operating at full capacity while others are underutilized, alarm bells should be ringing in the executive suite. Christian Zeller and Max Stehr explain what companies can do in such situations, when certain measures make sense, and how the production footprint becomes a competitive advantage.

Large OEMs have to do it, as do medium-sized companies whose plants in one region are underutilized while customers in another market cannot be supplied quickly enough. Whether large or small, virtually all companies have to continuously adapt their production capacities to changing requirements. In a world where what seemed like an ironclad rule yesterday may no longer apply tomorrow, this is no easy task. In their article, enomyc experts Max Stehr and Christian Zeller explain what companies should pay attention to and why involving an experienced partner at an early stage can avoid a lot of unrest, friction losses, and often also costs.

The decision is final: as of late October, the EU has imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The reasoning? Excessive subsidies and unfair competition from China. Brussels has taken decisive action, despite strong warnings from the German automotive industry. Will the sector now face significant price increases and potential retaliatory measures from China? Could the demand for EVs be further suppressed due to these tariffs? And what impact might these measures have on Germany’s capacity for innovation? In this expert interview, we explore the scenarios currently under discussion in the German automotive and supplier industries.

At first glance, the German MedTech industry seems to be doing well. It appears resilient in crises, innovative, strong in exports, and optimistic. However, on a global scale, its business growth seems to have slowed. What’s troubling the MedTech industry? How is its innovative strength holding up? And what about its future? enomyc, in collaboration with the German industry association SPECTARIS, which focuses on optics, photonics, analytical, and medical technology, surveyed over 40 companies in the industry. In this expert interview with Christian Zeller, we explore the sentiment, strengths, and levers of the German MedTech industry.

Relocation, reshoring, offshoring, and rebuilding: The geographical shifts of internationally producing companies resemble a busy puzzle. While BASF closes facilities at its German headquarters and invests $10 billion in constructing a mega factory off the coast of southern China, Tesla explores alternatives to production sites in China and Taiwan. Meanwhile, Stellantis plans to scale down its electric vehicle production in China, and Neura Robotics is returning to its German headquarters from China this year. The reasons for these production relocations vary by industry, from high factor costs and geopolitical risks to tariff avoidance. Moving away from Germany, where are manufacturing companies heading? Will factory relocations increase? And what are the dos and don’ts in the relocation process itself? An expert discussion with Christian Zeller and Thorsten Holl.

“There are three methods to gain wisdom,” Confucius once taught. “First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the bitterest.” Is China taking the easy path? And will it prove bitter for Germany? How economic policy and the Mittelstand might respond to China's economic trajectory — Christian Zeller, Partner at enomyc, discusses this in the current interview.

Outsourcing warehouse logistics is an important lever for improving efficiency. Although the potential is enormous, only a few companies have ventured into this topic.

The energy crisis, skyrocketing raw material prices, disrupted supply chains and a chronic shortage of skilled workers are presenting the German automotive and supplier industry with unprecedented challenges. Small and medium-sized suppliers specializing in combustion engine drive components, chassis and C-parts in particular must fear for their future. enomyc authors Wolfram Hackbarth and Christian Zeller explain what lies ahead for SMEs and the best strategies to steer them through the crisis.