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Digital Transformation in Metals Trading

  • Stakeholder: Traditional Austrian metal company
  • Industry: Retail
  • Duration: Short-term transformation mandate
  • XQI Manager role: CEO
Background

Five years of eCommerce – without success

A traditional metals producer launched a digital trading platform for metals five years ago to increase visibility and sales online. Despite several attempts, the commercial breakthrough failed to materialize.

Challenge

Stagnant progress

The eCommerce platform failed after years without profit because the business model was not scalable. Traditional structures in the metal industry are also slowing down the digital transformation. The challenge: make a neutral assessment, initiate radical changes and motivate the international team.

Strategy

Objective analysis to provide clarity

The interim CEO’s strategy was based on neutral analysis as a central lever. This included the evaluation of the existing business model as well as future market opportunities and potential partners. In addition, MVPs for corporate testing were developed and a possible need for adaptation was identified.

Implementation

End and new beginning

After a successful analysis, the interim CEO came to a clear conclusion: the online platform would continue to be unprofitable, as cooperations failed due to revenue expectations and cost sharing. As a result, the closure of the subsidiary was recommended.

Results

After five years - closure as a chance for a new beginning

The impartial analysis led to a socially responsible closure. Their results now serve as the basis for a possible relaunch.

  • Socially responsible closure
  • Possible relaunch

"Thanks to the interim CEO, we have gained the necessary orientation. Instead of continuing to invest in a non-scalable model, he courageously initiated the closure – in a socially responsible way and with a clear perspective for a new beginning. His neutral analysis was the key to finally making an informed decision from five years of stagnation."

Case study lead
Georg Larch

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